Page:Stanwood Pier--The ancient grudge.djvu/99

88 back from work. It makes supper a little late, and be does slop up the bathroom terrible, but Letty and me we agree we don't mind. And how he does whistle when he's warshin' himself! Always one tune. Letty does laugh and laugh to hear him! She says he can't whistle no more than a cow."

Floyd shook with laughter; he was surely meeting the fate of the eavesdropper. "I must try to be more quiet and gentlemanly in my bathing," he thought. "As for breakfast I never knowed a boarder that was so little trouble," continued Mrs. Bell. "Always wants just his cup of coffee and three eggs boiled three minutes. Nothing else ever. Most boarders is everlastingly wanting variety, now a steak, now a piece of pie."

"Ain't there a difference in the way he eats?"

"He lays his napkin acrost his knees instead of tucking it in at his chin. But I guess that's because be's wearing his old clothes here and don't care if they get spotted or not. I don't know as other ways he's any different."

"I suppose he ain't used to doin' his own reachin'."

"He don't seem to mind."

"Well, it does seem like a fairy tale. Mrs. Bell, ain't I ever again to hear Letty perform on the piano? She does perform so well."

"She and I was talking of having in a few friends for a little music some evening," Mrs. Bell answered. "Her, and Hugh to play on the bass viol. When we get an evening, I'll let you know."

"Oh, that will be grand. I do just love to hear Letty perform. I suppose, not being musical, Mr. Halket won't attend?"

"We meant to ask him," Mrs. Bell said.

"Did you ever find out how he came to stay with you?"

"Through Mr. Gregg's recommend, I believe. And he said, too, he liked the looks of the place."