At that Micky and Skelly exchanged looks, and Ikey Einstein ran over to join them.
“Gee whiz! Boys le’s join quick! What a fine home we will have next to Mister Uncle Ben’s place!”
Miss Martin laughed as she heard the cause for rejoicing and called out:
“It will not be because you live next to Uncle Ben, but because you will be half of his family, as he will not leave you without his company once we are settled down for the winter.”
A score of boys had started towards Uncle Ben to sign an application for a home, when Micky and Skelly followed close upon Ikey’s heels to secure permission to live in such a heavenly place as Ikey described it to be.
While they were waiting in line to sign, or place a mark after their applications, Ikey whispered to his chums:
“Miss Marting said dey got a music-box and lots of good records fer de boys to play. Dey got a tank in de cellar fer us to swim in, and a big back room what is made over into a gym. And every feller’s got a bed and burear fer himself. He can lock de drawers, too, and ef he wants to be alone, he kin pull his curtains about his room and shet himself away from de udders!”
“I guess ye’re talkin’ about de swell home fer de gurls and talents, ain’t cher?” remarked Skelly, skeptically.
“Naw! Dey got real rooms fer demselves! Little square ones all fixed up fine! And downstairs in de big living room is a real piano fer music makers. And all sorts of new-fangled things fer good times. Oh, dat Blue Bird and Bobolink City Home is one grand place, I kin tell yuh!”
“Who tol’ you all about it?” queried Micky.