CHAPTER XIII

BUB SUCCUMBS TO FORCE

One day Peter Conant abruptly left his office, came home and packed his grip and then hurried down town and caught the five o'clock train for New York. He was glum and uncommunicative, as usual, merely telling Aunt Hannah that business called him away and he did not know when he would be back.

A week later Peter appeared at the family breakfast table, having arrived on the early morning express, and he seemed in a more gracious mood than usual. Indeed, he was really talkative.

"I met Will Morrison in New York, Hannah," he said to his wife. "He was just sailing for London with his family and will remain abroad all summer. He wanted us to occupy his mountain place, Hillcrest Lodge, during July and August, and although I told him we couldn't use the place he insisted on my taking an order on his man to turn the shack over to us."

"The shack!" cried Aunt Hannah indignantly.

"Why, Peter, Hillcrest Lodge is a little palace. It is the cosiest, most delightful place I have ever visited. Why shouldn't we accept Will Morrison's proposition to occupy it?"

"I can't leave my business."

"You could run up every Friday afternoon, taking the train to Millbank and the stage to Hillcrest, and stay with us till Monday morning."

He stared at her reflectively.

"Would you be safe in that out-of-the-way place?" he asked.

"Of course. Didn't you say Will had a man for caretaker? And only a few scattered cottages are located near by, so we shall be quite by ourselves and wholly unmolested. I mean to go, and take the girls. The change will do us all good, so you may as well begin to make arrangements for the trip."

Now, provide a numbered list of answers to these questions:

1. Who is Peter's wife?
2. Is she often indignant?
3. Who did Peter meet with when he was away?
4. Where?
5. How'd he get there?
6. Was it the noon train?
7. Where was Will off to?
8. How was he getting there?
9. What's the name of his manor?
10. How many months was he going to be gone?
11. Is Hillcrest Lodge somewhat palatial?
12. What can't Peter leave?
13. What town could he take the train to on Friday afternoons?
14. Then how would he get to Hillcrest?
15. How long would he then stay?
16. Is Peter in a more talkative mood than normal?
17. What else is his current mood?
18. What meal are they having as they discuss this?
19. Is he concerned if Hannah will be safe at Hillcrest?
20. Why?
1. Hannah
2. unknown
3. Will Morrison
4. New York
5. the early morning express
6. no
7. london
8. boat
9. Hillcrest Lodge
10. two,
11. yes
12. his business
13. Millbank
14. take the stage
15. till Monday
16. yes
17. gracious
18. breakfast
19. yes
20. it's an out-of-the-way place