"O, Horace," said Prudy, quite shocked; "she can't help her temper; she has to be humored."
"Poh! that's just what ails her! Been humored to death."
"But, Horace, can't we change our play, somehow? It never will do for me to try to order her about."
"Nonsense, Prue! But if you're going to be so fussy, you might keep boarding-house, and have her for lady boarder."
Prudy's brow cleared.
"Just what'll suit her, Horace! A lady boarder is so fashionable,—like the one they had at Mrs. Penny's,—always washing out laces. Now I'll go tell Dotty."
Just then Miss Dimple appeared at the door with an uncertain smile.
"I—I—thought—"
"O, how kind of you to come back to us, my Lady Magnifico!" cried Horace, bowing himself double. "Your landlady was afraid you objected to your boarding-place."
"You see," said Prudy, eagerly, "we are making believe I keep boarders. I've 'seen better days,' or something of that kind, as they say in story-books—O, seems to me my husband died."