Mrs. Starbright was so happy that the sad look had fled from her face, and she quickly made them all feel quite at home.
“You must blame Dick for bringing such a crowd along, Mrs. Starbright,” said Merry. “He would make us come.”
“And I am very, very glad he did,” she earnestly declared, in a way that left no doubt of her sincerity. “He has written me about all of you, particularly of you, Mr. Merriwell. I think I’ve hardly ever received a letter from him in which he has not made some reference to you. You were very kind to him, and I have much to thank you for.”
“And I,” said Ready, “I have been very kind to him, also. He will tell you how I have entertained him as a sophomore should entertain a freshman. Oh, I have labored with him many a night.”
“Thank you, too,” she said, “for helping him nights with his studies. I am sure I appreciate it, Mr. Ready.”
“With his studies!” gasped Jack, taking care she did not hear. “Oh, my! Wouldn’t that kill you! Think of a sophomore helping a freshman with his studies! I’ve helped him do a jolly turn at Billie’s; I’ve marched him about the campus in his pajamas, and I’ve trained him through the streets with his left trousers leg rolled to the knee and a broom on his shoulder for a gun; but helped him with his studies—oh, Laura!”
“But these are not all, mother,” laughed Dick. “There are more coming. To-morrow two young ladies and two gentlemen will arrive. One of the gentlemen is the father of one of the young ladies, while the other gentleman is the husband of the other young lady. The old house will be filled, and we won’t do a thing!”
“I think we’ll be able to find room for everybody,” she said. “The holidays are to be very happy for me, I’m sure.”
“I hope she’s provided plenty of fodder for the herd,” whispered Ready to Browning. “I’m hollow as—as your head.”
“Now, don’t try to get funny at my expense,” warned the big senior. “I’m hungry myself, and I don’t feel like being made a fool of.”