"No, and I don't think it was very nice of you, after we invited you to our party," Violet put in, trying to look aggrieved.
"Oh, please won't you come with us?" asked Ferd, bowing elaborately before her.
Laura gave him a little push which precipitated him in a rather abrupt manner into a chair and completely spoiled his gallantry.
"I'll get even with you," he threatened good-naturedly, during the laugh that followed at his expense. "But say, fellows, you haven't answered my question. Are you game?"
"Sure we're game," they answered, and Chet added, as he picked up a stick he had found in the woods several days before and had modeled into an excellent club: "If they start any funny business they'll find me ready for them."
"Oh, boys, do be careful!" Billie begged, really afraid that their love of adventure would get them into trouble. "I didn't like the looks of those men. And they had clubs."
"Maybe—" said Violet in an awed voice. "Maybe they're—what do you call them—the fellows that make whiskey—"
"Moonshiners?" Teddy helped her out, and the boys shouted with laughter.
"All the more reason why we should find them out," said Ferd, as they started from the room. "It's our duty," he turned in the doorway to make them a bow, "to turn them over to justice."
"It must be a disease," laughed Billie, as the girls ascended the old staircase together.