"But it only adds to your manly beauty," laughed Frank.
And so the feast went on, and the Racer boys were toasted again and again in everything mild, from ginger ale to strawberry pop.
"And you'll be sure to come back in the Fall, won't you, fellows?" asked Ward Platt, when the time came to say good-bye.
"Sure," promised Andy. "We'll come back millionaires—maybe."
"And maybe—not," added his brother, significantly.
"Oh, well, we'll have a good time, and lots of excitement, anyhow," declared the younger lad.
Neither he nor his brother realized, however, what kind of excitement nor what manner of fun they were to have on the prairies.
Then came a trip to New York, where the brothers further outfitted themselves for their trip. Billy Chase went with them, being their guest at the Racer mansion for several days.
Mrs. Racer renewed her protest about the boys going off on what seemed such a dangerous mission, but they laughed at her fears, and said they could take care of themselves.
"And I believe they can," Mr. Racer said. "They've got to see life, and I want them to see the good clean side of it, such as they will meet with out West. I like that young Chase, too. He's got a thinking head on his shoulders, even if he is only the age of our boys. He'll make his mark, some day."