“Now, look here, Chap,” interrupted Phil, “it’s of no use to talk about that wreck. Even if there is any treasure in it, we couldn’t get at it without first spending a lot of money, and that is what we haven’t got. No, Helen,” he continued, “there isn’t any way of raising money that I can see. There isn’t anything I could sell, except some horses and cows, and they wouldn’t bring anything like enough. Besides, I haven’t any right to sell uncle’s property, even to pay his debts.”
“No,” said Chap; “and if you were to do anything of that kind your uncle would come along next day and make a jolly row about selling his stock for half-price.”
“Couldn’t you take boarders?” suggested Helen. “That is a splendid way to make money in the summer-time, and this house is big enough to hold ever so many of them.”
“That would be capital!” cried Chap. “I’d just like to stay here, Phil, and help you run a boarding-house. I could ride over the country and buy up butter and eggs.”
“And bring them home all mixed together,” said Helen, laughing. “I don’t think you would make much of a manager, Chap, if the people were at all particular.”
“Now, Helen,” said Chap, “you know I am very particular.”
“There is no use arguing about that,” interrupted Phil. “We couldn’t get any boarders to come here. They’d be afraid they’d be sold with the rest of the property.”
“Don’t talk that way, Phil,” said Helen. “It sounds awful.”
The party was now joined by Phœnix.
“I didn’t know whether I’d find you at home or not,” he said to Phil; “but I came over to see. Sorry I couldn’t stay last night, for I left Susan in a dreadful stew. Didn’t find your uncle, I suppose?”