Dick smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
“Seems as if you’re bent on having it,” he said; “and it proves you a bold lot of chums. Well, I’d like to know what you think of it, so let’s get together in the room Leslie has fitted up in their barn, where he’s a stove handy. I’ll be around at two o’clock when my chores are done. But don’t expect too much, please.”
CHAPTER XXV
DICK HAS A SELECT AUDIENCE
Promptly at two o’clock Dick made his appearance at the Capes’ barn. Leslie had been given the man’s room, which was vacant, to fit up for a den. As most boys delight to do, he had the walls decorated with college banners, and all manner of things connected with outdoor sports.
It made a cheery place where the boy and his friends could spend an hour or two in reading or playing games. As a rule Dick passed considerable time there in company with his best chum; and many of their plans of the past had actually been hatched amidst those congenial surroundings.
Dick found his friends impatiently awaiting his coming. Besides Leslie, there were Phil, Clint, Peg, Andy and Elmer sitting or lounging there, with the little stove making the room very comfortable.
“Here he is, and on time in the bargain!” exclaimed Andy.
“But with not a minute to spare,” added Clint. “If it’d been anybody but you, Dick, I’d have begun to think we might be left in the lurch; but nobody ever knew you to go back on your word.”
“Well, I felt pretty much like crawfishing this time, I own up,” laughed the latest arrival; “because it seemed like a whole lot of nerve for me to come here meaning to impose on you with my poor stuff.”
“Huh! just let us be the judge of that, won’t you, Dick?” demanded Leslie. “And say, I’m glad to see you’ve fetched your old banjo along.”