It had been decided that the Rovers should return home for over the Fourth of July, and then they were to meet Gif and Spouter in Boston for the journey to Big Bear Lake.
“Good-by to Colby Hall!” cried Randy, when the term had at last come to an end. “Hurrah for Big Bear Lake!”
“And hurrah for all the bears we’re going to shoot!” put in his twin.
“And the fish we’re going to catch!” added Fred.
“And the jolly times generally we’re going to have!” finished Jack.
The journey to New York City did not take long, and at the Grand Central Terminal the boys, as usual, found their mothers awaiting them with the family automobiles. There was a good deal of hugging and kissing, and then all drove up Fifth Avenue and over to the elegant homes on Riverside Drive.
“Gee, it’s fine to be home again, Mother!” cried Fred.
“Yes, Fred. Only you don’t like to stay in it after you get here,” replied his parent fondly.
“Oh, well, you know a boy has got to be a boy,” he answered.
That evening there was a grand family party between the boys and their parents, the girls having already departed for Valley Brook Farm with Ruth and May. Dick, Tom and Sam Rover wanted to know all about how the boys had been getting along at the school, and then told a little of how business matters were going with them.