“My goodneth,” interrupted Tommy. “Ten hourth a day. Thave me!”
Captain Baker smiled a superior smile and nodded to his companions.
“Oh, no. We shouldn’t want to wear you out to that extent,” replied Harriet mildly.
“In the meantime we wish you to come to supper with us this evening,” invited Miss Elting. “We will show you that Meadow-Brook Girls can cook as well as walk. We shan’t promise you much of a variety, but there will be plenty to eat. That will give you new strength for the coming contest,” she added, with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
The captain accepted the invitation for his friends. He offered to bring over some provisions and some milk. Jane replied that she had arranged for the milk, which she was to go after in her car. It was decided that the boys need bring nothing with them, there being enough in camp for all. The Tramp Club went away, to return at about half past five in the afternoon.
The young men had become very much interested in the Meadow-Brook Girls. As Captain Baker characterized them, “They aren’t the helpless, fainting kind. Those girls know how to take care of themselves. Now, what do you think of their fighting off two Italians and a bear? Fellows, we’ve got to hike some to beat them! They’ve got something in the back of their heads that we don’t know about.”
“Pshaw! We can walk them off the earth,” scoffed Sam.
CHAPTER XII—MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS UP A TREE
Supper, that night, was a jolly affair. Miss Elting decided that, though the boys were full of pranks, they were lads well worth knowing. She, naturally, was very particular as to the associates of her charges, but she approved of the Tramp Club. The boys, even as their captain had averred at the first meeting, were “full of mischief.” Despite their love of fun however they were straightforward, manly young men.
The party broke up about nine o’clock that evening.