“Do they?” inquired Walter, glancing anxiously about him as he spoke, an action that brought a trace of a smile to Dan’s face. “I’m not afraid,” said Walter hastily, as he noticed the expression on his friend’s face. “I just don’t like their company, that’s all. Are there many around here?”
“I guess if you should walk up the beach to those flat rocks yonder you’d find plenty of them.”
“Any here?”
“I guess not. Most too cool here. Snakes like warm spots.”
“Maybe the fire will draw them, then.”
“You needn’t be afraid.”
“I’m not ‘afraid,’ I tell you. I just don’t like the crawling things!”
“Well, never mind. We’ll set the table now. I guess everything is ready.”
Quickly the two boys placed their dinner on the little table. The smoking potatoes, the fish browned and hot, the various tempting viands which Grandmother Sprague had provided made a great display, and for a time conversation ceased, as both boys did full justice to the repast. Overhead the spreading branches of the huge chestnut trees provided ample shade. Before them were the waters of the pond shining and shimmering under the rays of the noontide heat. On the opposite shore men busy in the fields could be seen and over all was the glory of the perfect summer day.