Elephant had a wide grin on his face about this time, and Frank could draw his own conclusions as to just what the gentleman really did say.
"Well, I must say that Mr. Marsh puzzles me right along," he remarked. "And all I hope is, that when we come to learn the truth about him it isn't some unpleasant surprise he means to fling us."
"He acted mighty nice, anyhow," remarked Elephant.
"And that's a fact, ain't it, Nat?" remarked Larry, turning to the stutterer.
Possibly Nat had been preparing for his little speech, and shaped his lips so as to give utterance to the few words promptly; for he astonished them all by calmly remarking, with not a trace of hesitation:
"It sure is; there, how's that?"
"Bully! Keep it up, and you'll be all hunky!" ejaculated Larry.
"But see here, how about that grub?" demanded Andy, suddenly remembering that it was now one o'clock, and that they had eaten an early breakfast.
"Wow! the chances are it's all burned up!" cried Elephant, making a bee-line for the door of the shop; in which rush he was followed by all the others.
But Larry was too good a cook to leave his dinner exposed to any such danger. Before he went outdoors he had moved everything back on the stove; so that when the five hungry lads finally sat down they found every article just right.