Tad dressed himself. After finishing, he thought to look at his watch and was disgusted to find it was only a few minutes after three o’clock. Ned declared that he was going to sleep again if Tad would keep the fat boy quiet. Butler promised to do his best and went out. He looked about for Stacy but failed to see him, so the freckle-faced boy sat down on the rock where Chunky had sat singing.
“Hello, Tad,” piped a voice behind him, causing Butler to jump a little. Stacy had been hiding behind the rock, to which place he had crept from the cedar forest.
“Oh, it’s you, is it?”
“I guess so. I’m cold and–and hungry.”
“Go back to the tent. You should put on some dry clothes.”
“You don’t care whether I freeze or not. Go get them for me, please.”
“I will not. You got yourself into this difficulty, 98now get out of it as best you may,” answered Butler. “There won’t be any breakfast for three hours yet. Tighten your belt.”
“I–I haven’t any belt. I haven’t my clothes on.”
“That’s too bad,” retorted Tad unfeelingly.
“What’d you soak me for?”