“Oh, just so that the folks can see what we’ve been doing with our time during the winter,” was the reply. “We’ve arranged some single stick bouts and an exhibition drill and so on—you don’t mind, do you?”
“No, it’s a fine idea,” declared Rob warmly. “How soon will the company—audience I mean—arrive?”
“Guess they’re beginning to come now,” said Merritt as the sound of feet tramping into the hall became audible.
“Better send out Walter and Martin to act as ushers, hadn’t you?”
“Yes, I guess so,” and Merritt hastened off to dispatch the two second class Scouts referred to.
The hall filled rapidly. In the front rows Rob could see his parents and beside them Commodore Wingate, the scout master of the district, and the parents of most of the boys. The other chairs were filled with villagers and all at once—Rob’s heart beat rather quicker—down the aisle came the Mainwaring party. They took the three seats which had been apparently reserved for them close to Rob’s parents.
Little Andy Bowles, who arrived late, came into the gym in a state of high excitement.
Like most of the other scouts he had come in by the back stairway which led directly into the gym. He came straight up to Rob.
“Say,” he exclaimed, after he had given the scout salute and congratulated his leader, “say, who do you think are hanging about outside?”
“No idea,” rejoined Rob.