“You bet I’ll take a bath, and do it right away!” was Fred’s answer, as he continued to cough and sneeze.
“But how in the world did you come to jump into the box? Didn’t you see the stuff in there?” questioned Jack.
“It wasn’t there when I jumped in—at least, it wasn’t there to bother me,” answered Fred. “It was in a couple of big paper bags. I was all right when you tramped around the barn calling for me, and so I kept quiet. But after you left I tried to get out of the box and found I couldn’t. Then I began to thump around, and first thing I knew I kicked the bags apart and then the powder flew all over, and I was almost smothered. Then I began to splutter and kick for all I was worth, and then Aleck opened the box.”
“Well, it’s a good thing Aleck came,” declared Randy. “If he hadn’t come, you might have been smothered to death.”
“I guess that’s right. Aleck, I owe you a good deal for this.”
“Dat’s all right, Massah Fred,” answered the old colored man. “Jest de same, jest don’t you scare dis darkey to death de next time you get in a box.”
“The next time I get in a box I’ll keep out of it,” declared the youngest Rover, and then hurried to the house to get his bath.
When the girls heard of the mishap that had befallen Fred they were much concerned, even Ruth taking a great interest.
“Oh, Fred, you must be more careful!” cried his sister. “Why, you might have smothered to death!”