"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 great deal of good. She goes away from home so little." The matter was talked over until it was time for the two parties to separate, and the Rovers promised to write more particulars in a few days,--as soon as they knew more about the houseboat and how it was to be run, and what sort of sleeping accommodations it afforded. The boys saw the Stanhopes and the Lanings on the boat bound up the lake and then almost ran to the depot to catch their train. It came in directly, and in half a minute more they were being whirled away in the direction of Oak Run. "There is no use of talking, those girls are just all right," said Sam, bluntly. "I never met a nicer lot in my life." "I guess Dick thinks one of them is all right," said Tom, with a grin. "Although I don't see why you were steering her into the smoking room," he added, to his big brother. "Were you going to teach her to smoke cigarettes?" "Oh, say, Tom, let up," grumbled Dick. "You paid about as much attention to Nellie as I did to Dora." "Anyway, I didn't steer her to the smoking room." "No, but while you were talking to her I saw you put five spoonfuls of sugar in her coffee for her," returned Dick. "Maybe you didn't think she was sweet enough for you, eh?" At this Tom reddened, while Sam set up a roar.