Major Clowney and Mrs. Clowney were all consideration for the hapless Pony Rider Boy, the Major declaring that every rug in the room should be removed and a carpet put down in its place. He said it was criminal to have such a trap in the house.
"I do hope you didn't hurt yourself," said Miss Millicent sympathetically.
"Oh, not at all. I frequently sit down that way before dinner," answered the fat boy.
"Do you, indeed?" smiled the young woman.
"Oh, yes. You see it gives me an appetite for dinner. It's great. You should try it. Of course at first you should go outside and sit down on the ground where it's soft. When you get used to that you may try the floor."
Miss Millicent laughed merrily. There was no resisting Stacy's drollery.
Once more they took up their interrupted journey to the dining room, where the boys found themselves in charming surroundings. In spite of Stacy Brown's awkwardness, the Clowneys soon discovered that the Pony Rider Boys were well worth knowing. The lads were self-possessed, and their experiences in the saddle in many parts of the country enabled them to talk interestingly. As usual, Stacy made most of the merriment, and every time the fat boy spoke a little wave of good-natured laughter rippled around the table.
"I fear," said Miss Millicent, in answer to Stacy's description of how he got an appetite, "that I should prefer to fast."
"Oh, you wouldn't after you got used to the other way," the fat boy assured her.
"That is Stacy's way of apologizing for his appetite, Miss Clowney," said Ned across the table.