e there are so many fir trees around it. It makes it dark and
keeps the flies out."

It certainly made it dark, for as Dick entered the hall he could hardly
see, and had to proceed by the sense of feeling.

"We never open this part of the house, except for company," Mrs. Larabee
went on. "Ezra and I use the back door, as it saves wear and tear. Now,
if you'll come with me, I'll show you to your room and you can take off
your good clothes and put on a rough suit."

"I haven't any rougher suit than this," said Dick, looking at the
garments he wore. "I've got another suit in the case, but it's newer
than this."

"Mercy, child!" exclaimed his aunt. "Would you wear such clothes around
every day?"

"I always have," replied Dick simply.

"Well, I never heard tell the like of that! What does your father--but,
there, I forgot. I know Mortimer Hamilton. He doesn't care how he
throws money away!"

"My father never throws money away!" exclaimed Dick, always ready to
champion his parent. "He thinks it pays to buy good clothes, as they
wear better than cheap ones."

"Such wastefulness," sighed the aunt, as she led the way upstairs. "But
it's no use talking. However, if you come to live here----"

She did not finish the sentence, but Dick registered a mental vow that
it would be a long day before he would voluntarily come to live at The
Firs.

He was shown into a small room, plainly furnished, containing a small
cot bed.

"As you are only to stay a week, I thought it would make less work for
me if you had this room," said Mrs. Larabee. "It used to be the
servant's, but I don't keep any now. They are too expensive. Now be very
careful. Always take your shoes off when you come upstairs, as I can't
be always cleaning and dusting. Don't throw your things around, and keep
the shutters closed so the flies won't get in. When you are ready come
down to dinner."

"Well, if this doesn't get me!" exclaimed Dick, when his aunt had left
him alone and he had dropped down on the edge of the cot. "This
certainly is the limit. If I didn't know differently I'd say Uncle Ezra
had lost all his money. I guess he's got it salted down and hates to
take it out of the brine. Well, I'll see what they have for dinner
before I make up my mind any further."

The meal, though plain, was good, and to a boy with Dick's appetite,
nothing came amiss. But it was small pleasure to dine when two pair of
eyes were almost constantly watching him.

"Don'