“Oh, we’re not as cold and reserved as we seem, once you get under our skins,” chuckled Steele. “Take your time to wash up, fellows. Come down when you get ready. I fancy we’ll have dinner very soon now.”
“A great chap, that Steele,” murmured Tommy, as the door closed behind Casper. “And to think he didn’t get through college—it’s a shame. But then, he has so much money that he doesn’t need a college education to help him spend it.”
“And that’s one of the brightest remarks I ever heard you make, Tucker,” laughed Dick.
“Listen!” exclaimed Buckhart. “I sure hear music! On my word, they’ve got an orchestra.”
It was true, for the soft strains of an orchestra floated up to their ears from some part of the house.
“Steele is certainly doing the thing up brown,” chuckled Tucker. “Go ahead, Dick, and make your ablutions. You’re the one in this bunch who’s most wanted down below. The rest of us won’t be missed if we’re slower in reappearing.”
Dick pulled off his coat, rolled back his cuffs, and disappeared into the bathroom.
“No flies on this party, eh?” grinned Tucker. “Everybody agreeable and congenial.”
Buckhart shrugged his shoulders.
“With one exception, possibly,” he muttered, not wishing Dick to hear. “Chester Arlington might have improved the party had he remained away. He was Dick’s bitterest enemy at Fardale, and I can’t easily forget the dirty tricks in which he was concerned. My pard seems to think the fellow has reformed, but I’m far from satisfied on that point. I doubt if any one as rotten as Arlington has been ever wholly reformed. However, I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt until he shows the cloven hoof again. If he does that, I’ll certain feel like lighting on him all spraddled out. You hear me softly warble!”