"La vasche, la vasche!" repeated their friend.
"Oh, it's the boss you want?" triumphantly responded Jimmie. Then, indicating Ned, he said: "This is our boss; ask him!"
But the old man shook his head and tried again to enter the barn.
"I'll bet I know what he wants!" cried Jack. "He thinks his cow is in the barn, and he's looking for it! Here, Mister, is this it?" Jack emitted a long and very dignified "Moo-oo-oo!"
A smile overspread the aged features as the man nodded vigorously.
Ned glanced at Jimmie with a twinkle in his eye. Catching Ned's glance, the lad turned away with a very red face and mumbled:
"She ain't here! She went down to the delicatessen about half an hour ago to get a pint of milk. You needn't wait!"
"That's a good one, Jimmie!" Ned laughed. "He didn't want me!"
"That's a horse on me, all right!" admitted Jimmie sheepishly.