“Oh, Ver-er-man! O-o-o-oh, Ver-er-ma-a-an!”
It was the voice of Herman.
“OO-O-O-O-OH, VER-ER-ER-MA-A-A-AN!”
And then two boys sat stricken at that cheerful table and ceased to eat. Recollection awoke with a bang!
“Oh, my!” Sam gasped.
“What's the matter?” Mr. Schofield said. “Swallow something the wrong way, Sam?”
“Ye-es, sir.”
“OO-O-O-O-OH, VER-ER-ER-MA-A-A-AN!”
And now the voice was near the windows of the dining-room.
Penrod, very pale, pushed back his chair and jumped up.