"Oh, ho! Sam is pining for Grace!" cried Tom teasingly.
"Pooh! you needn't to blow," returned the youngest Rover, blushing. "Last night you called out for Nellie in your sleep. You must have been dreaming of her."
"I'll dream you!" burst out Tom, getting as red as Sam had been, and he made a move as if to throw a cup of coffee at his brother.
"Children! children!" said Dick sweetly. "I am—er—amazed."
"He's sorry because you forgot to mention Dora," said the irrepressible
Tom. "Now, Dora is just the cutest—"
"Avast, Tom, or you will get it," said Dick. "We haven't got the girls with us, so let us drop the subject."
It was very pleasant in the timber, and they did not leave until thoroughly rested. Near at hand was a small but pure stream, and here they washed up and watered their horses.
While the others were at the stream, Tom wandered off in the direction of the road. Now they saw him coming back full of excitement.
"Whom do you suppose I saw on the road?" he said.
"Give it up," returned Fred.