“We may—for a while.”
“Come to the house, then, and speak to Mrs. Crambo. If she’s agreeable, I am.”
They accompanied their new friend to a plain, but comfortable house, looking not unlike a New England farm-house. Mrs. Crambo was a pleasant looking woman, weighing at least fifty pounds more than her lord and master. She was evidently the “better man of the two,” being active and energetic, while he was slow and seemed to find exertion difficult.
“If you are willing to set up a hotel, Mrs. Crambo,” said her husband, “I bring you two boarders for a starter.”
“I shouldn’t mind a little company,” she said pleasantly. “How long have you been out here?”
“Not long enough to make our fortunes,” answered Tom.
“Do you expect to make them out here?” she asked shrewdly.
“We would like to. Perhaps Mr. Crambo will put us in the way of doing it.”
“Do you hear that, Paul?” she said, laughing.
Mr. Crambo scratched his head.