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Main > Fairy tale > All authors > Frank Baum > Fairy tale "Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work"

Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work

This was the first

occasion within a generation when such an entertainment had been given

at Elmhurst, and the only one within the memory of man where the

neighbors and country people had been invited guests. So all were eager

to attend and enjoy the novel event.

The gardens and grounds were gaily decorated with Chinese and Japanese

lanterns, streamers and Forbes banners. There were great tanks of

lemonade, and tables covered with candies and fruits for the children,

and maids and other servants distributed the things and looked after the

comfort of the guests. The band played briskly, and before noon the

scene was one of great animation. A speakers' stand, profusely

decorated, had been erected on the lawn, and hundreds of folding chairs

provided for seats. The attendance was unexpectedly large, and the girls

were delighted, foreseeing great success for their fкte.

"We ought to have more attendants, Beth," said Louise, approaching her

cousin. "Won't you run into the house and see if Martha can't spare one

or two more maids?"

Beth went at once, and found the housekeeper in her little room. Martha

was old and somewhat feeble in body, but her mind was still active and

her long years of experience in directing the household at Elmhurst made

her a very useful and important personage. She was very fond of the

young ladies, whom she had known when Aunt Jane was the mistress here,

and Beth was her especial favorite.

So she greeted the girl cordially, and said:

"Maids? My dear, I haven't another one to give you, and my legs are too

tottering to be of any use. I counted on Eliza Parsons, the new girl I

hired for the linen room and to do mending; but Eliza said she had a

headache this morning and couldn't stand the sun, So I let her off. But

she didn't seem very sick to me."

"Perhaps she is better and will help us until after the luncheon is

served," said Beth. "Where is she, Martha? I'll go and ask her."

"I'd better show you the way, miss. She's in her own room."

The housekeeper led the way and Beth followed.

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