There were tears in Rattleton’s eyes, and his honest face showed the deep emotion he felt and tried to hide.
Fighting, squealing, kicking at each other, two little fellows now plunged against Rattleton. One was red-headed and freckle-faced, while the other had a snub nose and a cherublike face. But they seemed trying to scratch out each other’s eyes.
“Me first!” yelled the cherub.
“I guess nit!” shrieked the one with freckles.
“Here! here! that will do!” smiled Merry, as he grasped them and pulled them apart. “It seems to me you chaps are old enough to quit fighting like kids.”
Then they both turned and seized his hands, which they wrung with all the strength at their command, yelling:
“How are you, Merry? We’re glad you see us!”
“The same Stubbs and the same Griswold,” nodded Frank.
“The same Merriwell!” they returned, in unison. “Only more famous!”
“I reckon it’s my turn to shake Mr. Merriwell’s paw,” said a strong, hearty voice, as a big, broad-shouldered youth put Bink and Danny aside. “That’s whatever!”