"Fine lot of girls," was Songbird's comment. "Very nice, indeed. And they know how to appreciate poetry, too," he added with satisfaction.
"Oh, yes, they are all right," answered Dick carelessly. Somehow, he was now sorry he had gone to the woods after nuts.
"I am going to call on all of them some time," went on Songbird. "That Minnie Sanderson told me she plays the piano, and sings. I am going to get her to sing a new song I am writing. It goes like this—"
"Excuse me, Songbird; not now," said Dick. "I want to do an extra lesson." And he hurried off, while Sam and Tom did the same.
Two hours later Dick ran into William Philander Tubbs, who had been down to town in company with Stanley.
"Had a lovely time, don't you know," drawled William Philander. "While Stanley posted some letters and addressed some picture postals I did up the shops. And what do you think? I found a beautiful new maroon necktie, and it was only a dollar—same kind they would charge one seventy-five for in the big cities. And I saw a new style of collar, and some patent-leather pumps that have bows with loose ends, and—"
"Some other time, Billy," interrupted Dick. "I'm in a hurry now."
"Oh, I'm sorry. But, Dick, one other thing. I met Miss Stanhope and her cousins."
"You did?" And now Dick was willing to listen. "Where?"
"At one of the stores. They were doing some buying, in company with those chaps you don't like."