CHAPTER II: CLEANING UP


The next two weeks were the busiest Maida ever knew.

In the first place she must see Mrs. Murdock and talk things over.
In the second place, she must examine all the stock that Mrs.
Murdock left. In the third place, she must order new stock from the
wholesale places. And in the fourth place, the rooms must be made
ready for her and Granny to live in. It was hard work, but it was
great fun.

First, Mrs. Murdock called, at Billy’s request, at his rooms on
Mount Vernon Street. Granny and Maida were there to meet her.

Mrs. Murdock was a tall, thin, erect old lady. Her bright black eyes
were piercing enough, but it seemed to Maida that the round-glassed
spectacles, through which she examined them all, were even more so.

“I’ve made out a list of things for the shop that I’m all out of,”
she began briskly. “You’ll know what the rest is from what’s left on
the shelves. Now about buying—there’s a wagon comes round once a
month and I’ve told them to keep right on a-coming even though I
ain’t there. They’ll sell you your candy, pickles, pickled limes and
all sich stuff. You’ll have to buy your toys in Boston—your paper,
pens, pencils, rubbers and the like also, but not at the same places
where you git the toys. I’ve put all the addresses down on the list.