"But, Nolla, dear, it does matter! Your father is dreadfully upset
about our plans. He says my Newport season will cost far more than I
fancied it would, and you two girls going to a mountain resort like
this is an extra cost. He will have to be away all summer on important
business connected with the bank, and _that_ will cost extra money.
Altogether, he feels anything but indifferent," sighed Mrs. Maynard,
handing the letter back to Barbara.

"Well, we are not responsible for father's worries over the bank's
loans, but we _are_ concerned about the style and quality of meals to
be served at this Brewster place for five dollars a week," scorned
Barbara.

"I don't believe Anne Stewart would take us to a place where anything
was horrid and cheap! She knows what's good as well as we do!" defended
Eleanor, who was eager to go to this mountain ranch.

"Nolla is quite right, Bob. Anne is too particular to engage board in
an undesirable house or hotel!" added Mrs. Maynard.

"Besides, these Brewsters have a farm, you know, and I suppose they
raise lots of things that we have to pay such awful prices for--eggs,
chickens, butter and vegetables," added Eleanor.

Mrs. Maynard and Barbara looked with admiration at the young girl, for
that was an idea they had not thought of!

"Of course, that's why they can board us so reasonably! Then, too, I
suppose they do their own marketing for other items of food, such as