“No, we are really anxious to tell you the whole story, and I know you’ll all shout with delight when you hear it,” answered Captain George.
CHAPTER IV
AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE
The captain of the Tramp Club leaned back and, clasping his hands about his knees, gazed reflectively at the blue sky overhead. The eyes of the Meadow-Brook Girls were fixed inquiringly on his brown face. Captain George appeared to be in no hurry to tell them of the surprise that the Tramps had in store for the girls. Tommy was the first to break the silence.
“Thith thuthpenthe ith killing,” she observed.
“Oh, don’t hurry him,” scoffed Crazy Jane. “He won’t be half so interesting after he has told it; and, what’s more, he knows it. That’s why he’s so long about telling. Suppose you wait until after supper, George? The evening is so much better for telling fairy stories. Then we can all go to bed and have nightmares!”
“This isn’t a joke,” protested Sam Crocker a trifle impatiently. “This is dead serious business, as you will realize before you have done with it.”
“Indeed?” commented Buster sarcastically.
“Yes, indeed,” returned Sam sharply. “Better tell them and have it out of your system. I’m getting a little tired of their not believing us. They will believe all right after they hear the glad and joyous tidings.”
“We believe motht anything,” Tommy informed them solemnly. “And we believe you folkth don’t know what you are talking about. Do you!”
“If you will give me half a chance, I will tell you,” answered George. “Did you ever hear of Newtown, on the coast?”