"Pooh! What do I care for that? Not a fig! In fact, with both of you boys away I'd rather be busy than not," was the quick retort.
"Do you suppose Bob would mind?"
"Bob? Why, he's seldom at home nowadays. Why should he care?"
"Aunt Marcia might think——" began the boy mischievously. But the comment was cut short.
"Oh, I know what your Aunt Marcia would say," broke in Mrs. King. "She'd hold up her hands in horror and announce that it was beneath the dignity of the family to take boarders."
They both laughed.
"I believe the very notion of scandalizing her will be what will decide me," concluded his mother with finality. "I'll put an advertisement in the Boston paper to-morrow and see what luck I have. If the right people do not turn up, why I don't have to take them."
"Sure you don't."
"It's a good plan, a splendid plan, Walter. Boarders will give me company and money too. I wonder it never occurred to me to do it before." Then she patted the lad's shoulder, adding playfully, "I guess if you have brains in one direction you must have them in another. Still, as I said before, I do not fancy your being responsible for those dogs."
"Pooh! You quit worrying, Ma, or I shall be sorry I told you they were blue ribbon pups."