“Wait till we unpack at camp,” chuckled Chet. “We’ll see about that, then.”
He and Lance agreed to make the halt as the girls requested; and they shouted to the crowd on 58 the smaller boat to do the same. As Lily Pendleton was one of the girls who must shop in Lumberton, Purt Sweet was most willing to tarry and accompany the girls ashore.
He was, in fact, the only escort the girls had when they went up into the town in search of the several articles they needed. The dude was evidently proud of his outing suit and, as Billy suggested, “wanted to give the people of Lumberport a treat.”
So he swaggered along up Main Street with the girls. Not a block from the wharf at which the boats were tied he met with an adventure.
“Whatever impression Purt is making on the good people of this town,” whispered Nellie Agnew to Laura, “he has certainly smitten a four-footed inhabitant with a deep, deep interest.”
“What’s that?” asked Laura, turning swiftly to see. Bobby Hargrew looked, likewise. Purt and Lily were behind, and Bobby immediately shouted:
“Say, Purt who’s your friend?”
“What’s that, Miss Hargrew?” asked Purt staring. “I weally don’t get you—don’t you know?”
“But he’ll get you in a minute,” chuckled Bobby. 59
“Don’t pay any attention to her, Mr. Sweet,” said Lily. “She’s a vulgar little thing.”