“He wanted to come all right, Sis,” said Joe. “In fact, he was crazy to come. Sent lots of love and all that——”
Just then there was a little squeal from Mabel and a pair of hands were placed over Clara’s eyes.
“Guess who it is,” came a voice, and then——
In a little while Mr. Matson came home for lunch and the excitement was renewed.
It was a happy homecoming and a most satisfactory surprise party, and if there was a happier group in the whole United States than those who gathered around the lunch table a little while later in that cozy Matson home, Joe and Mabel refused to believe it. So did Jim and Clara.
Enchanting days followed, days when the young folks felt as though they trod on air. If McRae and Robbie had known of the blessings that were showered upon them they would have felt amply repaid for the generous impulse that had given their two star pitchers this brief vacation.
All too soon the days slipped by and the moment came when Joe and Jim had to gird on their armor for the strenuous season awaiting them. It was a hard task to say good-by, but it had to be done, and the grief of parting was softened to some extent by the promise of the girls to come on before long for a stay in New York!
Joe and Jim were rather quiet for a while after the train had started, with the girls waving to them as far as they could see them, and it was not till after supper that they found themselves chatting about the baseball season that was to open on the third day from then.
“We’ve drawn the toughest team in the East for the opening day on the Polo Grounds,” remarked Joe. “Those Brooklyns are hard nuts to crack.”