“Good for Bob!” sang out Ned.
“’Rah! ’Rah!” whooped Ted, and all rushed for the door.
Gaily Tavia hugged them all. Bob stood discreetly aside.
“Father was called away, and it was so dreary—I just ran over to see everyone,” gushed Tavia.
“Well, we’re glad to see you,” welcomed Aunt Winnie.
“Oh, Tavia,” whispered Dorothy, “how did you manage to get Bob?”
“Get whom?” Tavia tried to look blank. Dorothy spoiled the blankness by stuffing a large chocolate cream right into Tavia’s mouth before her chum could close it.
“Thought you’d find Tavia interesting,” grinned Ned, helping Bob take off his great ulster, at which words the lad addressed flushed to his temples.
“Say, fellows, that yarn about the hose——” began Nat.
“Nat no longer believes in Santa and the stockings,” chimed in Ned, “he hung up all his socks last night and——”