Mrs. S. I suppose we could have our meals in our own rooms.
Mrs. J. (hesitating). Well—yes—perhaps it could be arranged so.
Mrs. S. And I suppose we could have them at whatever hour we chose.
Mrs. J. I think so.
Mrs. S. That seems to be favorable. May I ask your terms?
Mrs. J. For my best rooms, with private meals, I should be obliged to charge twenty dollars a week apiece. If the meals came at unusual hours, it would be worth more.
Mrs. S. (with emphasis). Your charge is exorbitant. Such accommodations are not worth more than half the sum you name. Still I am willing to pay twenty-five dollars for both of us.
Mrs. J. I couldn’t think of such a thing. I shouldn’t be able to pay my expenses at such low rates for board.
Mrs. S. I thought you didn’t keep boarders for profit, but only for the sake of company.
Mrs. J. That is very true. I don’t take boarders for profit, but neither do I intend to take them at a loss. I shouldn’t consider their company to be of sufficient value to compensate for that.