“Pull off his shoes and tickle his feet! He’s got to tell!”
“Poke him in the ribs!”
“He got a letter this morning. I’ll bet the news is in that!” shouted Gif. “It’s in his pocket now!”
All attempted to pounce upon Spouter, but he was too quick for them, and, dashing across the room, he shot into Fred’s bedroom, banging the door after him. Then, as the others followed, he ran out into the corridor and then sped for his own room, where he locked the door behind him. Then he hid the letter in a place where he was sure none of his chums would find it.
“Well, this takes the bakery!” announced Randy, after all of them had pounded on Spouter’s door in vain. “What do you suppose it means?”
“It’s simple enough,” remarked Jack. “Spouter is going to invite us on some sort of outing this summer, but he doesn’t want to tell us yet what sort it’s to be.”
“He spoke about mountains and rivers and horseback riding,” said Randy. “That looks like some sort of outdoor affair,” and his eyes glistened.
“Come on out, Spouter, and let us love you a little,” called Fred through the keyhole.
“You go on down and I’ll meet you downstairs,” was the reply. “And remember, you’re not to know another word about this until vacation comes.”
“Going to take us away in a submarine, Spouter?” demanded Andy.