“Say, you kids, wassa matter wid cheerin’ Uncle Ben and all his fren’s—not a sickly cheer but a good healthy one!”
“Nuttin’s de matter wid dat! Hey all! Git ready now! One-two-t’ree!” yelled Joe, and he swung his old cap as he counted.
“Hip! Hip! Hurrah! fer everybuddy here!” shouted every lusty youngster present, and the din spoke well for their health.
“Heigh—once more—whad’s de matter wid Uncle Ben?” called Bill, excitedly.
“He’s all right! Hip! Hip! Hurrah fer all!”
Then Bill seemed to remember an important matter.
“Mister Uncle Ben, please kin I say somethin’?”
“Certainly Bill—speak.”
“What kin we do to help a poor dog what is a genius?”
Everyone laughed at the question, but Bill took no offence as he was too concerned about finding a home for Crummie, where the canine intelligence might be expanded.