"Wait a little, Toby," he said, cautiously. "When we gather around the festive board, and get our heads close together, I've got some bully good news to tell the bunch of you."
"H-h-hear that, will you, boys?" remarked Toby, in more or less excitement.
"Say no more now, please. How about that coffee?" Max continued.
"S-s-she's cooked to a turn, and I h-h-hope the rest of the g-g-grub is ready, too."
"All right here," announced Bandy-legs, seizing the frying pan, which was filled with potatoes, seasoned with a few onions, and hurrying over to where the low table had been arranged.
Inside of five minutes they were busily engaged disposing of the savory mess.
Five hungry lads can make away with considerable food, given the chance; but all due allowance had been made for even the astonishing appetites of Toby and Bandy-legs, when making preparations for the feast.
Once the edge was taken off their appetites, and the boys remembered the promise made by Max.
"Now tell us what luck you had, Max," Steve asked, as he broke open a fresh paper package of crackers, and appropriated a generous portion of cheese.
"Y-y-yes, that's the t-t-ticket!" exclaimed Toby.