"Well, if that isn't the limit!" exclaimed Frank.
"Worse and more of it," agreed Andy. "I wonder where I am going to sleep to-night?"
His question was answered a moment later by the entrance of Mrs. Stone, the housekeeper. She threw up her hands when, on looking in through the open door, she saw the wrecked bed.
"Oh, I've been afraid something like this would happen!" she exclaimed. "None of the beds are strong enough for two big boys to sit on at once."
"But we didn't do that," explained Andy. "I—I er—sort of came down heavy on it, and—"
"Yes, I heard the crash," said the matron with a smile. "I came as fast as I could."
"Professor Callum was just here, and he is going to report us to the doctor," said Frank.
"Well, don't worry," advised the matron. "I will explain matters to him. I have told him that some of the beds are too old to use, but he doesn't seem to pay any attention to me. It's like many other things around here."
"Say, what is the matter at Riverview, Mrs. Stone?" asked Andy eagerly. "There's something wrong; isn't there?"
"Wrong? No, nothing wrong!" replied the housekeeper. "Useless you call a lack of money wrong. Dr. Doolittle hasn't enough funds back of his institution, that's all. But please don't ask me any questions. Now I will have to transfer you to another room, or bring another bed in here. I guess the first is easier."