“Only allegorically, Blanche,” said Norman.
“But I don’t understand what is a board?” pursued Blanche.
“Mr. May in his ship,” was Norman’s suggestion.
Poor Blanche stood in perplexity. “What is it really?”
“Something wooden headed,” continued the provoking papa.
“A board is all wooden, not only its head,” said Blanche.
“Exactly so, especially at Stoneborough!” said the doctor.
“It is what papa is when he comes out of the council-room,” added Ethel.
“Or what every one is while the girls are rigging themselves,” sighed Harry. “Ha! here’s Polly—now we only want Flora.”
“And my stethoscope! Has any one seen my stethoscope!” exclaimed the doctor, beginning to rush frantically into the study, dining-room, and his own room; but failing, quietly took up a book, and gave up the search, which was vigorously pursued by Richard, Flora, and Mary, until the missing article was detected, where Aubrey had left it in the nook on the stairs, after using it for a trumpet and a telescope.