"In the hammock, Rob. What sends you home so early?"
"Early!" thought Rob mischievously, "I've been gone nearly three hours and a half. Mr. Muir must be exciting, if time goes so fast with him round." But all he said was,—
"I want him to come down to Bert's. We beat those fellows all to pieces, and we're going to have a grand bonfire to celebrate. Can he go?"
"Yes," said Bess rather doubtfully, "but you must take care of him, Robin. Remember, he can't go into it just as you do; and be careful your own self. We don't want any burned boys on our hands." And she returned to her game, amidst Rob's fervent assurances that all would be well.
This time Fred was induced to go. He rolled out of the hammock, and the two boys, arm in arm, tramped off down the street towards the house of Dr. Walsh. At the extreme rear of the large grounds, they found Phil, Ted, Sam, and Bert, with the rest of the victorious nine, busily piling up a huge mound of brush. To any one glancing about the well-kept lawn, it was a question where the lads had collected their materials; but a careful gleaning had gathered in a rich harvest of light rubbish that would do a smoky honor to their victory of the morning.
Rob and Fred were greeted with enthusiastic shouts as they appeared, for Fred was rapidly regaining his old place among his boy friends. Several grimy hands were extended to help him to a post of honor, where he could be in the very midst of the fun, and, with a boyish chivalry, the lads often paused from their work to talk a moment with him, that he might not feel left out of their frolic. But, even by this time, Fred had not quite returned to his usual good humor, and as he loitered about, listening to the gay shouts of his friends, he was inwardly chafing at the infirmity that kept him apart from them, and, filled with an impulse to get away from them, he turned slowly, and walked towards the house.
"Where going, Fred?" he heard Rob call after him.
"Only just to the hammock," he answered, for he had become quite familiar with the Walsh grounds, as it was a favorite meeting-place with the boys.
"Fred's blue to-day," remarked Rob to Bert, who stood near him for a moment.
"Poor old lad! I don't wonder," answered Bert, as he watched the retreating figure. "I wonder if somebody'd better go with him."