“I’ll be the man you want to see,” persuaded Jinks.
“Come on, Tuck. We’ll have to go home pretty soon, so get busy,” commanded Ned.
The girls began to understand that the Bobolinks were not playing, but practicing their duty for the future, so they silently looked at each other and nodded understandingly.
“Here goes, then,” ventured Tuck, bravely.
He strutted across the floor toward the office and met one of the boys stationed there.
“Good-morning, sir; do you wish to see anyone?” asked the impromptu clerk.
“I have an appointment with Mr. Slamhim,” quivered Tuck, as if the visit was an actual affair.
The boys tittered with glee as Tuck turned red and white.
“Your name, please?” asked the polite clerk.
“Reuben Stevens,” replied Tuck, in a whisper.