ered
Dora.

"Oh, Dora!" And now Dick's heart seemed to stop beating. "And you--you
didn't accept him, did you?"

"Would you care if I did?" she whispered. "Dora!" he answered, half
fiercely.

"Well, I told him I didn't want him, so there," said Dora, hurriedly.
"I told him that I wanted to marry somebody that lived in the East, and
that I--I--"

"And that you had the young man picked out? Why didn't you tell him
that, Dora? You know--"

"Hi, you folks!" came in a cry from Tom. "What are you steering for the
smoking room for? We are bound for the dining room."

"Well, I never!" murmured Dora. "Dick, we had better watch out where we
are going."

"That's right." They turned toward the dining room. "Dora, you know, as
I was saying, that--"

"Dick Rover, I thought we were going to dinner! Just see the folks!
What a crowd! You musn't talk like that here."

"Yes, that's true, but--"

"You really must mind, Dick." She gave him a bright smile. "I--I--guess I
understand you!"

And then all went in to dinner.

CHAPTER IX

THE ROVER BOYS AT HOME

There was a great deal to tell on all sides, and the dinner lasted over
an hour. The Stanhopes and the Lanings had had a grand time while at
Santa Barbara and the widow was much improved in health, so much so, in
fact, that she was now practically a well woman. Those who had been in
the Far West listened with interest to the boys' doings at the Hall and
during the encampment, and were amazed to think that Dan Baxter and his
father had turned up once more, and that Arnold Baxter was trying to
turn over a new leaf.

"I do not believe Dan will ever turn over a new leaf," said Dora. "He
is a thoroughly bad young man."

"Let us hope that he does," said her mother. "I do not wish to see
anybody throw himself away as that young man is doing."

"After this you will have to watch out for this Lew Flapp as well as
for Dan Baxter," said Nellie. "Both appear to be painted with the same
brush."

During the dinner the houseboat project was broached, and the boys
spoke of what a fine time they expected to have on the Ohio, and
perhaps on the Mississippi.

"And we would like all of you to go with us," said Dick.

"With you!" exclaimed Mrs. Stanhope.

"Oh, mamma, what a delightful trip it would be!" exclaimed Dora.

"And we would like your mother to go too," went on Tom, to Nellie and
Grace.

"Oh, if mamma would only go!" cried Grace. "I am sure it would do her a