"I know my mother will be——"
"There, there!" interrupted the great man. "Your mother has two fine sons that she may well be proud of. She has had a little hard sledding to get them on their feet, that's all. Now it is their turn to lift the burden and repay her. I am simply going to see that they get the chance to do it. The rest I feel certain I can leave to them."
"We do want to help mother," Walter replied with sincerity.
"I know you do; both of you have proved it this summer. From now on I intend your mother shall have no anxiety about her finances. We'll put her where she will be perfectly independent of those uncles of yours, and of summer boarders as well."
The lip of His Highness trembled and he could not speak.
"Some day I expect Dick and Nancy will be looking out for their mother and me just this way," continued Mr. Crowninshield half humorously. "There will be Lola to support, too."
Dick burst into a peal of laughter.
"You will have to cut out indulging in so many detectives if I'm to pay the bills, Dad," answered he.
"Oh, you must not deprive me of my little luxuries," returned his father. "One must have some amusement, remember."
"I'm afraid you will have to choose a cheaper one then."