"Yes, there wasn't much chance to tan up in the winter. But I'm glad to get home. How's everybody? You're looking well yourself, dad. Oh, Uncle Ezra," spoke Dick quickly, as he thought of something, "how's Aunt Samanthy?"
"Oh, she ain't as well as she might be. She has something the matter with her stomach, and the medicine she has to take is very expensive—very! Besides, she's had the doctor real frequent of late, and that runs up an expense; not that I mind it so much, but it seems doctors charge more than they used to. No, your Aunt Samanthy ain't as well as she might be."
"I'm sorry to hear that," murmured Dick, as sympathetically as he could.
"Everything go off well at school?" asked Mr. Hamilton.
"Yes, dad; and my company took first prize."
"Good! Glad to hear it."
"I treated the boys to a good feed on the strength of it, too, last night."
"That's right."
"Did it cost much?" asked Uncle Ezra, putting his hand into his pocket, doubtless to see if his purse were safe.
"Oh, not so very much; but it was worth all it cost."
"A sinful waste of money!" murmured the crabbed old man. "You could have given them coffee and sandwiches, just as well as an elaborate supper, Richard."
