The boys were still discussing ways and means to frustrate the wily schemings of the crafty old land shark when the buckboard turned off the dusty road, pursued its leisurely way up a long graveled avenue shaded by stately trees, and drew up before a wide-flung old mansion flanked by wide verandas. Before it had stopped Lee jumped out and ran to meet a pleasant faced lady who was descending the steps. After their first affectionate greeting Lee introduced Bobby and Fred to her.
“These are my two friends, Mother, Bobby Blake and Fred Martin,” he said. “I guess you’ve heard so much about them in my letters to you that you hardly need an introduction.”
“Indeed yes,” she smiled. “And I hope that Lee’s mother will be just as good friends with you as Lee is.”
Mrs. Cartier was so gracious and hospitable that the boys were quickly at their ease and felt as though they had known her a long time.
Lee showed them their room, a beautiful large one with big, comfortable looking beds and dark, cool curtains at the windows.
“When you fellows have gotten some of the dust off you, come on down and I’ll show you around,” said Lee, as he left them.
“Well,” remarked Bobby, when he and Fred were alone, “it looks to me as though we had come to a pretty fine place to spend our vacation. Mrs. Cartier certainly has a way of making a fellow feel welcome.”
“She certainly has,” returned Fred, “I’ve often heard about Southern hospitality, and now I know what it’s like.”
“I wish we could do something to fix that skinflint old neighbor of theirs,” continued Fred, after a pause.
“Well, there’s no telling; maybe we can,” said Bobby.