"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.
"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.
Mr. Bray fell in with the boarder project, as we have seen, with enthusiasm. Although he could do nothing as yet, his mind was active enough and he gaily planned with 'Phemie what they should do and how they should arrange the rooms for the horde of visitors who were, they were sure, already on their way to Hillcrest.
"Though Lyd won't show the very first letter she's received in answer to our ad.," complained the younger sister. "What's the matter with those folks, Lyddy? Do they actually live right there near where we did on Trimble Avenue?"
"That was a loft building next to us," said their father, curiously. "Who are the people, daughter?"
"Somebody by the name of Colesworth. The Commonwealth Chemical Company office. It's about an old man to stay here."