“He’s making a balloon,” said Macey, laughing.
Vane gave quite a start, as he recalled his thoughts about flight that morning.
“Told you so,” cried Macey merrily; “and he’s going to coax pepper-pot Distin to go up with him, and pitch him out when they reach the first lake.”
“No, he isn’t,” said Gilmore; “he’s going to be on the look-out, for Distie’s sure to want to serve him out on the sly if he can.”
“Coming with us?” said Vane.
“No, not this time, old chap,” said Gilmore, smiling. “I’m going to be merciful to your aunt and spare her.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll come when Aleck Macey stops away. He does eat at such a frightful rate, that if two of us came your people would never have us in at the Little Manor again.”
Macey made an offer as if to throw something, but Gilmore did not see it, for he had stepped close up to Vane and laid his hand upon his shoulder.
“I’m going to stop with Distie. Don’t take any notice of his temper. I’m afraid he cannot help it. I’ll stay and go about with him, as if nothing had happened.”