Stephen, who resented his uncle's questions as impertinent intrusions upon the family affairs, added one of his own.
"Isn't it as good as those in--what do you call it--South Denboro ?" he asked, maliciously.
Captain Elisha laughed heartily.
"Pretty nigh as good," he said.

"I didn't notice any better on the way to the depot as I drove up.

And I doubt if there's many new ones built since I left.

It's a mighty fine lot of rooms, I think.

What's the rent?
You'll excuse my askin', things bein' as they are." "Twenty-two hundred a year," answered his niece, coldly.
The captain looked at her, whistled, broke off the whistle in the middle, and did a little mental arithmetic.
"Twenty-two hundred a year!" he repeated.