“Let’s pound it out of him, boys!” exclaimed his twin, and caught Fred by the arm.
“No, you don’t!” shouted Fred. “I’ll tell you about my secret when I’m ready, and not before.” And then, as the others tried to catch hold of him, he squirmed away and ran through the dining room and then the sitting room of the old farmhouse.
“My land sakes, boys! what are you up to now?” shrilled old Aunt Martha, who sat by a window shelling peas.
“Fred’s got a secret and won’t let us in on it!” exclaimed Randy.
“I think he’s got a barrel of prunes hid away somewhere and is eating ’em all by himself on the sly,” added Andy.
“A barrel of prunes?” exclaimed Aunt Martha, in consternation. Then her eyes began to twinkle. “Andy Rover, quit your foolishness and behave yourself. If you continue to make such a noise, Grandfather Rover will think another war has started.”
“Well, we’ve got to make Fred talk up,” said Randy, and then he and his twin, followed by Jack, raced after the youngest Rover boy, who had disappeared through a doorway leading to a side piazza. The next instant Fred had leaped out into the dooryard and, despite the rain that was falling, was streaking it in the direction of the big barn.
“Hi! You’ll get soaked!” yelled Jack. “Come back here!”
“Not on your necktie! I’d rather be soaked than be pommeled.”
“I’m going after him!” exclaimed Andy.