Bunny nodded politely. "Maybe some patrols from other places were there," he suggested, beginning to wish he had postponed his visit to Uncle George, instead of stopping over on the trip back from the Belden baseball game. Perhaps the Black Eagles had been entertaining, and he had missed some fun.
"That may be," agreed the young man, ready to dismiss the subject. He glanced impatiently at his watch, and clutched the sleeve of the passing conductor. "How late is this train, anyhow?"
The conductor looked out the car window. "We are just coming into Lakeville," he said. "We are due there at 6:03, and it is now 7:08; call it an hour behind time. Those two hot-boxes—" He passed on, leaving the balance of the sentence dangling apologetically in the air.
As familiar objects swept into view, several passengers rose from their seats. The train passed the Fair Play Factory at full speed, began to brake opposite Horace Hibbs' modest home in the outskirts, and ground to a stop at the station. The very first person to alight was Bunny Payton.
Peter Hinkle, the station master, waved him a welcome. Since the Black Eagles had parked the former barren spot on the other side of the tracks with green sod and a border of gay flowers, spelling out the name of the town with whitewashed stones, Peter had been their sturdy champion.
"Well! Well!" he said. "Here's another Boy Scout. The town's full of them now."
There it was again. Bunny stepped forward eagerly to ask questions; but the station master was too busy with the incoming baggage to stop for a talk. Moreover, the sight of a familiar blue hat and blue-and-white dress down the platform drew Bunny like a magnet. It was spring, and he was growing up.
"Hello, Mary Chester," he said, extending his hand.
The girl shook hands shyly. It was the first time the two had met since the memorable rescue on the lake.