Ma hated to see me go, knowing that I'd be out all night, but Pa didn't care, or pretended that he didn't.
"He's all right," he said. "What's going to hurt him, I'd like to know?"
Before seven o'clock the four of us were at the bridge and, say, we looked fine in our uniforms. Each one carried a little pan to cook in, some bacon and other things to eat, and a blanket strapped on his back. We also carried "first aid to injured" things, to be ready if we should find somebody getting hurt.
When the bells rang for seven o'clock we started. This time it was Benny and I who went north on Park Street, and Hank and Chuck, south.
"You watch my smoke," whispered Hank to me, when we were ready to start. "I've got a new invention and I'm going to try it on somebody."
When we were passing Benny's house Mrs. Wade came out and waved to us.
"Benny Wade," she shouted, "if you are not home by nine o'clock to-night, your mother will have a fit."
I knew from the look on Benny's face how hard it was for him to be cheerful, when he wanted to stay out all night, like the rest of us.
"All right, Ma," said he. "Don't worry. I'll come back, if I live."
"If you live!" I heard her yell; but Benny was turning the corner to take the east road and in another second was out of sight.