"Papa," she said, the next time she got him to herself, "I've been
thinking over what you were saying last night, about getting somebody to
keep the house, you know. And I wish you wouldn't. I wish you would let
_me_ try. Really and truly, I think I could manage."

"But how?" asked Dr. Carr, much surprised. "I really don't see. If you
were well and strong, perhaps--but even then you would be pretty young
for such a charge, Katy."

"I shall be fourteen in two weeks," said Katy, drawing herself up in her
chair as straight as she could. "And if I _were_ well, Papa, I should be
going to school, you know, and then of course I couldn't. No, I'll tell
you my plan. I've been thinking about it all day. Debby and Bridget have
been with us so long, that they know all Aunt Izzie's ways, and they're
such good women, that all they want is just to be told a little now and
then. Now, why couldn't they come up to me when anything is wanted--just
as well as to have me go down to them? Clover and old Mary will keep
watch, you know, and see if anything is wrong. And you wouldn't mind if
things were a little crooked just at first, would you? because, you
know, I should be learning all the time. Do let me try! It will be real
nice to have something to think about as I sit up here alone, so much
better than having a stranger in the house who doesn't know the children
or anything. I am sure it will make me happier. Please say 'Yes,' Papa,
please do!"

"It's too much for you, a great deal too much," replied Dr. Carr. But it
was not easy to resist Katy's "Please! Please!" and after a while it
ended with--