If you say no, I shall believe it is because you are afraid of a boarding-house meal." His guest protested, but the protests were overruled, and he and his host went down to the dining room.

The captain whispered as they entered, "Land sakes, Jim, this takes me back home.

It's pretty nigh a twin to the dinin' room at the Centre House in South Denboro." * * * * * All boarding-house dining rooms bear a family likeness, so the comment was not far wrong.

A long table, rows of chairs on each side, ancient and honorable pictures on the walls, the landlady presiding majestically over the teapot, the boarders' napkins in rings--all the familiar landmarks were present.
Most of the male "regulars" were in business about the city and therefore lunched elsewhere, but the females were in evidence.

Pearson introduced his guest.