hould have heard of it, never fear. You hear of everything in this
town. You can't help it. Like as not everybody in the place will know
by to-morrow morning that I am going to take boarders. Luckily I don't
care--that's one good thing. And as to the dogs, if you are resolved
to accept that position all I can say is that you must keep a head on
your shoulders. You cannot hire out for a job unless you are prepared
to give a full return for the money paid you. It is not honest. So
think carefully what you mean to do before you embark. And remember,
if you get into some careless scrape you cannot come back on me for
money for I haven't any to hand over."

"I shall shoulder my own blame," responded Walter, drawing in his
chin.

"Well and good then. If you are ready to do that, it is your affair
and I have nothing more to say," announced Mrs. King, preparing to
leave the room.

But Walter stayed her on the threshold.

"I don't see," he began, "why you always seem to expect I'm going to
get into a scrape. You are never looking for trouble with Bob."

"Bob! Bless your heart I never have to! You know that as well as I do.
Any one could trust Bob until the Day of Judgment. He never forgets a
word you tell him. Ask him to do an errand and it is as good as done.
You can drop it from your mind. From a little child he was dependable
like that. His teachers couldn't say enough about him. Wasn't he
always at the head of his class? The way he's turned out is no
surprise. Think of his picking up wireless enough outside school hours
to get a radio job during the war, and afterward that fine position at
Seaver Bay! Few lads his age could have done it. And think of the
messages he's entrusted with--government work, and sinking ships, and
goodness knows what not!"

The proud mother ceased for lack of breath.

"I wish I was like Bob," sighed Walter gloomily.

"Nonsense!" was the instant exclamation. "You're yourself, and
scatter-brain as you are, I'd want you no different. You're but a lad
yet. When you are Bob's age you may be like him. Who knows?"

"I'm afraid not," came dismally from Walter. "I haven't started out as
Bob did."

"What if you haven't? There's time enough to catch up if you hurry.
And anyway, I do not want my children all alike. Variety is the spice
of life. I wouldn't have you patterned after Bob if I could speak the
word."

"You wouldn't?" the boy brightened.

"Indeed I wouldn't! Who would I be patching tor