As Jack read it he uttered a low whistle.
“What’s the matter? Can’t he come?” asked Nat.
“No. This is from his rascally guardian. It’s to me. Bill’s run away.”
CHAPTER XIII
OFF ON THE TRIP
Nat stood still in the street and stared at Jack.
“What’s that you said?” he asked.
“Bill’s run away. Listen and I’ll read the letter to you. It says: ‘A few days ago my ward, William Williams, returned from Washington Hall, greatly to my regret. He explained the cause of his enforced vacation, and stated that you had asked him to go off on a hunting trip. Of course, I refused to let him go. In the first place I don’t believe in hunting, and for a lad of William’s age to go off to the West, where he may learn bad habits, is not the thing. Besides, I cannot trust him away from the authority of older persons.’”
“Wouldn’t that jolt you?” commented Jack as he looked up from the letter.