“Nary a one,” promised Bateye fervidly.
It was several days before the town got over talking about the fire. Mr. Smith heard of the part his sons had taken in it, and talked severely to them.
“Why are you always up to such risky tricks?” he asked.
“This wasn’t risky,” declared Bill in justification.
“We didn’t think it was any harm,” added Pete.
“That’s the trouble. You don’t think enough. You didn’t think the time you started the runaway handcar, and you remember what happened. Now be more careful.”
They promised, and Mr. Smith, who was a very busy man, sighed and wished the boys would settle down and be less playful.
“Maybe when they get to the Academy, life there will help to settle them,” he said with a shake of his head. Whether it did or not we shall soon see.
Meanwhile Beantoe and Spider were racking their brains for some plan to get even with the Smith boys and their friends.
“I don’t care so much for Bateye and Doc. and Norton,” said Beantoe, “but I would like to play a trick on Pete and his brothers.”