“Ha!” exclaimed Dr. Forsyth with interest. “Going South, are you?”
“Say ‘were you?’” grumbled the lawyer.
“Oh, you can safely go when January comes,” said the physician cheerfully. “The girls will be in shape to travel by New Year’s, if there is no set-back.”
“What’s that?” demanded Mr. Howbridge, his eyes opening.
“You did not consider going without the girls, did you?”
“I certainly wasn’t considering going with them!” exclaimed the lawyer.
“Why not?”
“Ahem? And why?”
Dr. Forsyth burst into laughter. “It will be a breath of new life to Ruth and Agnes; and of course they could not be contented without Tess and Dot along.”
“Wait! Don’t say it all so fast,” groaned Mr. Howbridge. “I have only just got rid of those twins. Hedden and I have scarcely got our breaths. And to travel with those four girls——”