"So do I," came from Tom Donnell. "Put it good and strong, Bert."
The night of the meeting found nearly every male resident of Lakeville present, and there were some women and girls in the audience. In the meanwhile, the members of the volunteer department had used Mr. Bergman's donation to pay off the small balance due on their engine, and had purchased their uniforms. They were quite natty, consisting of blue trousers and red shirts, with helmets of the same fiery color, and belts with a large brass buckle in front.
The boys marched into the hall in a body, and took seats together.
"Oh, aren't they just too cute for anything!" exclaimed Nellie Travers to her chum, Jane Alton.
"They look quite business-like," commented Jane.
"Yes, but those uniforms are dear, aren't they?"
"I don't know. I heard my brother Ned say they were quite cheap," went on Jane, who was something of a joker.
"Oh, Jane! You know I mean they're too sweet for anything! I just wish there'd be a fire alarm come in now, so I could see them run."
"I don't; I want to see what they're going to do at this meeting. Ned is worried for fear they'll break up the boys' department."
"That would be a shame."