In the last twenty-four hours, Daddy Doll has received the tax bills on Graymont and the other house. His contractor has just telephoned to say that the ceiling has been restored and other repairs made but that, for various reasons, the attic cannot be made liveable. And, adds the contractor, he must have money to pay off the workers. And himself.
This means that the family are stuck at Graymont; they can't possibly all fit in the little house near town. It also means that after paying all these bills, Daddy will be poorer than the legendary church mouse. In fact, he'll have to borrow money. Go into debt, just to pay everything he owes.
On top of these worries, he has recently been bothered by the children--well, by Maybelle, at least--chattering about "servants" who, Daddy knows, don't exist. Even Ned has mentioned seeing a man working on the grounds; Daddy thinks it must have been a tramp or passer-by, up to no good. Heaven forbid that anyone who worked for Granny Gray thinks he's still a family employee!
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