Mr. Davidson started to corroborate in soothing phrases, but was waved
to silence by Dick, who continued:

"As I understand it, whatever money I handle will be by agreement
between the four of us?"

The Board of Guardians nodded.

"That is, whatever we agree, goes?"

Again the Board of Guardians nodded.

"Well, I'd like to have a hundred right now," Dick announced.

"What for?" Mr. Crockett demanded.

"I don't mind telling you," was the lad's steady answer. "To go
traveling."

"You'll go to bed at eight:thirty this evening," Mr. Crockett
retorted. "And you don't get any hundred. The lady we spoke to you
about will be here before six. She is to have, as we explained, daily
and hourly charge of you. At six-thirty, as usual, you will dine, and
she will dine with you and see you to bed. As we told you, she will
have to serve the place of a mother to you--see that your ears are
clean, your neck washed--"

"And that I get my Saturday night bath," Dick amplified meekly for
him.