"Do you mean, Dick," and the good doctor's voice shook a little as he asked the question, "that you and Ned decided to tell Farmer Field about the taking of his chicken, before you knew that I had heard of your camping out?"
"Why, yes, sir. I supposed Ned had told you."
"Your friend Ned is rather a curious boy, but when you are in doubt about the right and wrong of anything, you might do worse than ask his advice."
"Oh! I get enough of that without asking for it," said Dick.
And the doctor laughed, but he soon looked pretty serious again, and said:
"Dick, I think no one will tell your mother and she need never know, but I hope you will tell her all about it of your own accord."
"Sure!" said Dick, "I couldn't keep that or anythink else away from Mumsey for five minutes after I saw her."
There was a significant pause, during which the doctor stroked his chin meditatively before asking:
"Now, what in the world made you two boys go on that camping escapade? I want you to tell me that, Dick."