Mr. Bray knew all about the boarding house project and approved of it. "Why, I can soon help around myself. And I must do something," he told them, that evening, "or I shall go crazy. I couldn't endure the rest cure." But it was complete rest that he had to endure for several days after his unexpected arrival. The girls gave up their room to their father, and went upstairs to sleep. 'Phemie had to admit that even _she_ was glad there was at last somebody else in the house. Especially a man! "But I never have thought to ask Mr. Pritchett about his being up here with that Spink man last Saturday night," Lyddy said, sleepily. "You'd better let it drop," advised 'Phemie. "We don't want to get the whole Pritchett family down on us." "What nonsense! Of course I shall ask him," declared her sister. But as it happened something occurred the following day to quite put this small matter out of Lyddy's mind. The postman brought the first letter in answer to their advertisement. Lyddy was about to tear open the envelope when she halted in amazement. The card printed in the corner included the number of Trimble Avenue right next to the big tenement house in which the Brays had lived before coming here to Hillcrest. "Isn't that strange?" she murmured, and read the card again: _Commonwealth Chemical Company_ _407 Trimble Avenue_ _Easthampton_ "Right from the very next door!" sparkled 'Phemie. "Don't that beat all!--as Lucas says." But Lyddy had now opened the letter and read as follows: "L. Bray, Hillcrest Farm, Bridleburg P. O. "Dear Madam: I have read your advertisement and believe that you offer exactly what my father and I have been looking for--a quiet, homelike boarding house in the hills, and not too far away for me to get easily back and forth. If agreeable, we shall come to Bridleburg Saturday and would be glad to have you meet the 10:14 train on its arrival. If both parties are suited we can then discuss terms. "Respectfully, "Harris Colesworth." "Why, what's the matter, Lyd?" demanded her sister, in amazement. But Lyddy Bray did not explain. In her own mind she was much disturbed. She was confident that the writer of this note was the "fresh" young fellow who had always been at work in the chemical laboratory right across the air-shaft from her kitchen window! Of course, it was quite by chance--in all probability--that he had answered her advertisement. Yet Lyddy Bray had an intuition that if she answered the letter, and the Colesworths came here to Hillcrest, trouble would ensue. She had hoped very much to obtain boarders, and to get even one thus early in the season seemed too good to be true. Yet, now that she had got what she wanted, Lyddy was doubtful if she wanted it after all. CHAPTER XIV THE COLESWORTHS