“Well, I guess she's as good as any you'd be likely to get,” Mrs. Bell admitted, “and we mustn't expect paragons. If this can't be done by an average bunch of working women the world over, it can't be done--that's all!” “It can be done,” said the girl, calmly. “It will be done. You see.” “Mr. Thaddler says you could run any kind of a business you set your hand to,” her mother went on. “He has a profound respect for your abilities, Dina.” “Seems to me you and Mr. Thaddler have a good deal to say to each other, motherkins. I believe you enjoy that caffeteria desk, and all the compliments you get.” “I do,” said Mrs. Bell stoutly. “I do indeed! Why, I haven't seen so many men, to speak to, since--why, never in my life! And they are very amusing--some of them. They like to come here--like it immensely. And I don't wonder. I believe you'll do well to enlarge.” Then they plunged into a discussion of the winter's plans. The day service department and its employment agency was to go on at the New Union House, with Mrs. Jessup as manager; the present establishment was to be run as a hotel and restaurant, and the depot for the cooked food delivery. Mrs. Thorvald and her husband were installed by themselves in another new venture; a small laundry outside the town. This place employed several girls steadily, and the motor wagon found a new use between meals, in collecting and delivering laundry parcels. “It simplifies it a lot--to get the washing out of the place and the girls off my mind,” said Diantha. “Now I mean to buckle down and learn the hotel business--thoroughly, and develop this cooked food delivery to perfection.” “Modest young lady,” smiled her mother. “Where do you mean to stop--if ever?” “I don't mean to stop till I'm dead,” Diantha answered; “but I don't mean to undertake any more trades, if that is what you mean. You know what I'm after--to get 'housework' on a business basis, that's all; and prove, prove, PROVE what a good business it is. There's the cleaning branch--that's all started and going well in the day service. There's the washing--that's simple and easy. Laundry work's no mystery. But the food part is a big thing. It's an art, a science, a business, and a handicraft. I had the handicraft to start with; I'm learning the business; but I've got a lot to learn yet in the science and art of it.” “Don't do too much at once,” her mother urged. “You've got to cater to people as they are.” “I know it,” the girl agreed. “They must be led, step by step--the natural method. It's a big job, but not too big. Out of all the women who have done housework for so many ages, surely it's not too much to expect one to have a special genius for it!” Her mother gazed at her with loving admiration. “That's just what you have, Dina--a special genius for housework. I wish there were more of you!”