“Yes,” said Fatty. “I think I can manage it all right, without arousing the house-agent’s suspicions. But before I go, let’s snoop round a bit. And I want to climb that tree too, and look into that room.”
“Had we better post a guard to look out in case any one comes?” said Pip. “We don’t want to be caught on somebody else’s property. Bets, you keep guard.”
“No!” said Bets, indignant at being left out of the exploring. “You keep guard youself, Pip.”
“Buster can keep guard,” said Fatty. “Here, Buster, stand at the gate and bark if anyone comes!”
Buster stood by the gate, near Fatty, looking up into his master’s face as if he understood every word.
“There!” said Fatty, pleased. “He’ll stay on guard all the morning if we want him to.”
But as soon as they went down the drive again, Buster scampered after them! He didn’t want to stand at the front gate if they were all going to leave him!
“He’s not so clever as we thought,” said Pip. “You’ll never get him to stay there, Fatty!”
“Yes, I shall,” said Fatty, and took Buster firmly back to the gate. He took off his overcoat and removed his pullover. He put it down just inside the gate, at the edge of the drive.
“Guard it, Buster, guard it!” said Fatty commandingly. “Sit on it - that’s right. It’s my best pullover. Guard it for me, old fellow!”