neighbors called "set in his ways," Tom and Larry ran to the barn
to open the door, while the hired men followed with the horses.

After rubbing the animals down and giving them some hay, the four
returned to the house.

But not until the supper was finished did the farmer deign to
impart his news. Then, tilting back in his chair, he looked at his
wife and asked:

"How would you like to take the boys to Scotland for the summer,
ma?"

"To Scotland?" repeated Mrs. Alden, as though scarcely believing
her ears. "Theodore Alden, are you going crazy? What are you
talking about?"

"About going to Scotland," answered the farmer, grinning. "And I'm
not crazy."

At the mention of the trip, Larry and Tom looked at their parent
and then at each other in dismay, for they had planned a different
sort of way for spending the summer. But their attention was
quickly drawn to their father again.

"I've got to go to Scotland and we might as well all go," he was
saying. "The hired men can run the farm for the summer."

Lapsing into silence as he watched the effect of his words, Mr.
Alden enjoyed the looks of surprise and curiosity, then continued: