“Well, I only asked, you know,” remarked Tubby in an injured tone.
“And now that that’s all explained,” said Mr. Mainwaring, after the merriment had subsided, “I may as well tell you that all your parents know of my wish and are quite willing that you should go, in spite of the fact that for some weeks they will be deprived of your interesting society. And——”
But all discipline was at an end for the nonce. The boys’ spirits fairly broke bounds. They leaped up, joined hands and danced round in a circle. It was like some impossible, glorious dream coming true; for each of them had long cherished a desire to see Uncle Sam’s wonderful digging operations which, under the Stars and Stripes, were to join two mighty oceans.
In the midst of the excitement the door opened and in came Fred Mainwaring; but Lucy was not with him, rather to the disappointment of one of the Scouts. Fred, after the boys had all shaken hands warmly and indulged in another war dance, announced that his sister had had to leave suddenly for the West the night before, as her mother, who was stopping with relatives there, had absolutely forbidden the project of taking her along.
It was not till after they had taken their leave and were walking with Fred down the drive leading to the road back to Hampton that Lucy’s brother seized an opportunity to draw Rob aside.
“What are you looking so glum about?” he demanded with a twinkle in his eyes.
“Who? Me?” rejoined Rob indignantly, “I never felt better in my life.”
But his looks belied him. And, strange to say, Rob’s gloom dated from the moment that Fred had announced Lucy’s departure.
“Say, old fellow,” laughed Fred merrily, “if you don’t remind me of the ostrich in the fable! Here,—here’s her address,—take it and be happy. Bless you, my children,” and without waiting for an answer, Fred thrust a bit of paper into Rob’s hand and darted off with a merry:—
“See you to-morrow. We’ll have lots to talk about.”