“People don’t climb in at doors,” said Chap.
“Well, they get in somehow,” said Helen.
“But do you really want him, Phil?”
“Not for that kind of thing,” said Phil; “but I should be very glad to have him come and stay with me till uncle comes back. And Phœnix, too,” he added.
“There’s no use talking about that,” said Phœnix. “It’s hard enough for me to get off in the daytime.”
“There’s only one difficulty in the way,” said Phil, coloring a little. “I don’t know that I’ll be able to feed any visitors. The money uncle left with Mr. Welford to keep this castle in running order has about given out——”
“Oh, pshaw!” said Chap, interrupting, “there’s always plenty of flour and butter and eggs and vegetables on a place like this; and if we want butcher’s meat and groceries, mother can send them over from our house, and call them my rations.”
“Uncle wouldn’t like that,” said Phil, “and we never run up any bills with the people in town.”
“At any rate,” said Chap, “if one fellow can get along here, two can. If that’s the only objection you have to my staying here, I’m going to stay. I don’t think you ought to be left alone.”
“Nor I, either,” said Phil; “and if I starve you, you can go home to your meals.”