Chip glanced at his chum, but Clancy was sleeping the sleep of the just. The red-haired chap put in his daytime most energetically, and when he slept he did it with just as much vigor.
“I’ll let him pound his ear,” smiled Chip, as he flung on his clothes, impatient to be outdoors. “Anyway, I’d just as soon have a walk all by myself for a change. I’ve a good notion to go down and take a dip in the mill pond, by gracious!”
At thought of the cool, inviting waters of the river, which he had explored with the aid of Billy Mac, he finished his dressing hurriedly. The hotel was still dead to the world, and Frank quietly let himself out into the silent corridor.
Downstairs, however, he found the clerk sweeping out the office. The clerk looked up with a cheery greeting and a wide grin, for Chip was already a popular hero in Carsonville, after the game of the day before.
“Up early, ain’t you?”
“Too fine a morning to sleep,” said Chip. “What’s that machine I heard buzzing around?”
“The garage is down the street a ways,” explained the clerk, leaning on his broom. “They’ve got one machine there for hire. Want to get it?”
“No, thanks,” and Frank laughed. “I was only mildly curious. Clancy’s car is all right?”
“Sure, I seen it out in the back yard only just now.”
Merry nodded and passed on to the veranda. At sight of the upturned chairs he was attacked by sudden laziness, and with a yawn turned over one of the chairs and seated himself, drinking in the clear air greedily.