“Dr. Spidderkins! Why he used to be our doctor,” said Charley. “He’s too old to practice now, but I remember my mother saying she had him for me, when I was a baby.”
“He’s rather a queer character,” commented Tom. “He’s always forgetting things.”
“I wish I had his rocks! He’s got slathers of money.”
“He doesn’t look rich. His clothes aren’t very good, but maybe that’s because he spends so much on books.”
“Oh, he’s got lots to spend,” said the other boy. “I heard my dad say Dr. Spidderkins was worth close to half a million. But I guess he doesn’t have much fun out of it.”
“Why?”
“Well, he’s always studying some queer subject or other, or writing books or papers for the scientific magazines. And then I guess his sister-in-law doesn’t treat him any too good.”
“I believe you’re right there,” agreed Tom. “She seems to make fun of him, because he’s so forgetful.”
“From what I hear, though,” went on Charley, “his short memory just suits Mr. Sandow—that’s his sister-in-law’s second husband.”
“Suits him? How do you mean?”