“Well, chase along to the river, then. We’ll get our duds and be right down.”
Chub went capering off at full speed, while Chip and Billy trotted off to the McQuade home.
Here they secured their clothes and towels, saying nothing to Mrs. McQuade of what had happened that morning. Billy was full of fears, but he forced them down in her presence. He did not want to worry his mother unnecessarily.
When they left the house to get to the river, they passed a corner of the orchard. It was bright with blossoms, whose scent came sweetly on the breeze, and Billy jerked his head toward the gnarled trees.
“I’d hate to see those trees piling up an income for Colonel Carson, Merry.”
Chip Merriwell nodded in comprehension.
“It would be hard, old chap. But that’s exactly what they’re doing, right now, since you’ll have to pay the loan a second time. Even that will be better than letting the place fall into his hands.”
“Can’t help it,” and Billy shook his head gloomily. “The mortgage is overdue, and he could foreclose any time he wanted to, you see. He’s going to be sore as blazes over what happened this morning, too.”
“He doesn’t seem to be very fair-minded, for a fact,” agreed Merry. “But it’s a bad plan to worry over what hasn’t happened, Billy. Just forget about financial troubles, and enjoy your swim.”
It would have been hard for the most hardened pessimist not to have enjoyed that plunge into the cool, quiet old river, whose waters were backed up for half a mile by the dam below, forming an ideal swimming pond. The warm air was fresh with the breath of fruit blossoms, for Carsonville was in the fruit belt, and surrounded by orchards.