“What’s that?” asked Major Dale. “Don’t you want the boys to receive honor and glory in the army?”
“No,” said Dorothy decidedly, “I’ll never permit it. Of course,” she hastened to add, “if Joe must wear a uniform, he might go to a military school, if that will please him.”
The major scoffed at the idea. Joe straightened his shoulders, and marched about the room, little Roger following in his wake, while the major whistled “Yankee Doodle.”
The sound of the Fire Bird was heard coming up the driveway, and in another second Nat, Ned and Ted rushed into the room.
“We can’t have the trunk without the check,” explained Nat, breathlessly, “where is it?”
“Tavia discovered the check after you left, and she followed you down to the station,” explained Aunt Winnie.
“We took a short cut back and missed her, of course,” said Nat, dejectedly.
“We won’t have any time to spare,” declared Aunt Winnie, walking to the window, “the train leaves at seven-thirty, and it is after six now,” Dorothy followed her to the window. They both stood still in astonishment.
“Boys!” cried Dorothy, “come quick!”
The boys scrambled to the window. There was Tavia, coming up the drive, serenely seated on top of her trunk, in the back part of a small buggy, enjoying immensely the wind that brushed her hair wildly about her face, while the driver, the stoutest man in North Birchland, occupied the entire front seat.