He sat down to do this. Really the fountain made from the hose, was sending out a fine shower of water that sparkled in the sun. The water was beginning to fill the hole the boys had dug.
"What are you going to do?" asked William, wiping the water from his face.
"We're goin' wadin' in the fountain," explained Laddie. "That's what we made it for."
"Oh, no, you'd better not," said William. "I'm sorry, but your aunt wouldn't like a fountain in her garden. It'll only be a mud-hole, and you'll get all dirty. Your father and mother wouldn't want that. I guess I'd better shut off the water. When your aunt comes home, if she lets you do it, why then it will be all right. But I'm afraid I can't let you do it now."
Russ and Laddie looked disappointed. After all their work not to have the fountain! It was too bad!
"We—we're sorry you got wet," said Russ, thinking perhaps William felt a little vexed at them.
"Oh, that's all right," said William. "I don't mind. These are my old clothes, anyhow. But I'd best shut off the water."
He started toward the faucet to do this. Already the hole Laddie and Russ had dug was half full, and would have made, as Russ said, a "dandy" place to wade. But it was not to be.
As the boys stood beside the hole half filled with water, and as William was at the faucet, ready to turn it off, a loud barking was heard, and into the garden came racing a little dog, chased by big Alexis, who was barking loudly.
"Oh, look!" cried Russ.