"No food to-night is a sad blow, Chief," said Albert pretending to weep as he opened the outside door.
"This blow is sadder," replied Jack, playfully shoving Albert clean out of the door.
III
THE GIRLS' SECRET
A very timid little knock roused The Chief from his study of Jack's coldframe plans. The outer door gently opened and three little girls entered and advanced to where the man sat. One, the smallest of the three, was thrust forward as spokesman. Gathering herself together she began with a rush. She thrust a letter into The Chief's hands.
"This is the boys' horrid letter. We don't care particularly about belonging to a boys' club. We wouldn't now, any way. But we'd like to show those boys a thing or two and we thought perhaps you would help us. Will you?"
"Sit down, and we will work out a little plot together. But first tell me your names. I like to know the names of people with whom I plot."
The girls came close to the man. The spokesman did the introducing. "I am Delia, Peter's sister, and just as smart as he is. This," pointing to a quiet, pleasant-faced girl, "is Ethel. And the other is Jack's sister, Elizabeth."