Beulah - Page 248/348

"Well, be sure you get a good servant; and now I must go."

She put on her bonnet and shawl with unwonted haste, and ran down

the steps. In her frequent walks she had noticed two cottages in

course of erection, not very far from the pine grove in front of the

asylum, and now, crossing the common, she directed her steps toward

them. The lots were small, and belonged to Dr. Asbury, who said he

would build a couple of cottages for poor families to rent at cheap

rates. As Beulah approached the houses she saw the doctor's buggy

standing near the door, and, thinking it a good omen, quickened her

steps. Each building contained only three rooms and a hall, with a

gallery or rather portico in front. They were genuine cottages

ornes, built after Downing's plans, and presented a tasteful,

inviting appearance. The windows were arched and the woodwork

elaborately carved. Beulah pushed open the freshly painted gate, ran

up the steps and into the hall. The carpenters were still at work in

the kitchen, and, as she conjectured, here she found her friend,

giving some final directions. She looked round the snug little

kitchen, and, walking up to Dr. Asbury, who stood with his back to

the door, she shook his hand with a cheerful salutation.

"Halloo, Beulah! where did you drop from? Glad to see you. Glad to

see you. How came you prying into my new houses? Answer me that! Did

you see my spouse as you came through the hall?"

"No; I will go back and hunt for her--"

"You need not; there she comes down the steps of the house. She

would insist on seeing about some shelves for this precious kitchen;

thinks I am bound to put pantries, and closets, and shelves all over

the house, for my future tenants. I suppose before the first poor

family takes possession I shall be expected to fill the closet with

table linen and cutlery, and the larder with sugar, flour, and wax

candles. Look here, Mrs. Asbury, how many more shelves is this

kitchen to have?"

"It is well she has a conscience, sir, since nature denied you one,"

answered Beulah, whom Mrs. Asbury received very affectionately.

"Conscience! Bless my soul! she has none, as regards my unlucky

purse. Positively she wanted to know, just now, if I would not have

that little patch of ground between the house and the paling laid

off into beds; and if I would not plant a few rose bushes and vines,

for the first rascally set of children to tear up by the roots, just

as soon as their parents moved in. There's conscience for you with a

vengeance."