"Payner!" exclaimed Owen, staring at his companion with an interest no longer forced. Then he threw back his head and laughed aloud.
Simmons put down his book. "I don't see anything so funny in that. Why shouldn't he invite me if he wants to?"
"He should, and if I were invited I'd go, if I had to cut ball practice to do it."
Simmons looked his astonishment, but said nothing.
"You might find out where he gets the things that he bestows on the Pecks," continued Owen.
"Have they had another?" cried Simmons, eagerly, jumping to his feet and planting himself in front of Owen. "Tell me, have they had another? What was it?"
Owen grinned and nodded. "Some queer little olive-green lizards, about three inches long, with small red spots all over them. I didn't know the things."
"How did it come? They've kept their door locked for a long time, and they hardly dare open a window."
"In the laundry bag," chuckled Owen. "It was left outside their door, and the lizards just went to sleep in it. There was the usual ticket tied to one of their tails, 'The Fifth Plague.'"