There was a look of increased contempt on the face of both Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Balfour, but before either could speak, Tom—who, of course, was familiar with Mac’s accident but not with his mysterious rescue—sprang to the center of the group.
“All right,” he exclaimed defiantly, “and that makes Bob a member. The club now bein’ in reg’lah session, I make a motion that Mac Gregory be expelled. All in favor of that motion, say ‘Aye’.” Hal Burton and Tom responded with loud ayes. “The ‘ayes’ have it.”
Mrs. Allen, her eyes snapping, pointed toward a gate in the rear of the yard.
“Mac,” she said peremptorily, “please go away from ouah house, and be good enough to stay away.”
[CHAPTER V]
IN WHICH JERRY BLOSSOM SUDDENLY APPEARS
Neither Mrs. Balfour nor Tom’s mother took the time at that exciting moment to explain to the astonished Bob how Mrs. Balfour happened to be in Mrs. Allen’s home. But it was easily explained later. Mrs. Balfour had awakened soon after Bob’s departure for the club meeting. His absence reminded her that he was to meet the boys at three o’clock. She felt under obligations to Tom’s mother for the attention the latter had given her son, and she determined to call at the Allen home at once and express her gratitude.
When the sounds of the conflict became unmistakable, the two women had rushed into the yard together to find Mac Gregory and Bob at the crisis of their encounter.
“And now,” continued Mrs. Allen, with stern dignity, as Mac swaggeringly withdrew toward the rear gate, “what is the real meaning of this disgraceful affair?”