"Indeed I have! I expect to have the very best of Thanksgivings, due to all of you dear people. Some day I will be able to show my gratitude for this." And the lady's voice quavered with emotion.
"And you'll find the story in the papers will not only spare you any criticism, but actually praise your school," added Mr. Ashby.
"You may be overwhelmed with new scholars," suggested Polly, innocently.
"That's so! I've always heard that discreet publicity is the finest kind of advertising," Eleanor declared. "This fine tale about your scholars ought to bring back fifty percent returns."
Everyone laughed heartily at hearing so young a girl talk so business-like, and Mr. Dalken said: "I am interested to know just where you got that information?"
"Isn't it true?" demanded Eleanor, turning her bright eyes on him. "You see, Polly and I are going into business together, pretty soon, and I have to take notice of all approved methods of winning success. I am to be the business manager while Polly is the decorator."
The new acquaintances were highly amused at such talk, and Mr. Ashby laughingly inquired: "What profession have you chosen?"
"Interior decorators. We have started, already; we go to Cooper Union three nights a week and Mr. Fabian takes us to all the lectures and exhibitions on any subject that will give us ideas and help."
"Well!" exclaimed Mr. Dalken, finding the girls were really serious. Mrs. Ashby was deeply interested, but her husband took each of the prospective decorators by the hand and shaking them cordially, said: "Let us congratulate each other, for I am already established as a decorator. I want to help you onward in every possible way, my dear girls, so call on me whenever you want help. Just as Fabian takes you to these valuable exhibitions and lectures, so the four of us pulling together ought to arrive somewhere."
Mr. Fabian was as pleased at the news as either of his protegées, and they left the Ashbys feeling very much at peace with the world and everything in it.
As Eleanor ran down the shallow brown-stone steps to the sidewalk, she turned back and called to Mr. Ashby: "Who knows! We may end by going into partnership with you, some day!"
As Mr. Maynard occupied Eleanor's room at the Studio, and she used the couch moved into Polly's room for the time being, it seemed difficult for Eleanor to follow her desire to communicate with Dunlap, the reporter, as soon as she got home.