The fire apparatus was replaced in the house and the brave firemen came out to be congratulated on their prowess. Don being the only dry Bobolink of his party, stood watching the boys, and finally said:
“Uncle Ben, you ought to have given a medal for bravery! Bill scaled the ladder in spite of danger to life and limb.”
“We’re going to give you the medal this time!” replied Uncle Ben, seriously.
“Me! What for—what did I do?”
“You wasted more water than Happy Hills uses in a month, and you spoiled a dozen or so good dresses and suits, so we will present you with a leather medal!”
At that the older children laughed merrily, and Don knew a leather medal was nothing to be proud of; still he kept his tongue under control until he had had time to ask someone what a leather medal meant anyway!
CHAPTER V
MISS MARTIN’S TALK
The Blue Birds and Bobolinks had to hurry to the kitchen where a good-natured cook and kitchen girl offered to dry their wet clothes. Meantime, the hapless boys and girls would have to wear overalls just as the Little Citizens did for work.
The majority of the Little Citizens had followed their visitors to the big kitchen and when the transformed Blue Birds came out in blue denim jumpers, everyone laughed.
“What can we do while we’re waiting for our clothes to dry?” asked Dot Starr, who never could keep quiet a moment.