“There come some boys,” said Rose. “Try to stand up, they will be sure to stop and gawk at us.”
Nellie sat up, but made no effort to stand. Presently the three boys came romping along.
As Rose had guessed, they did stop and look at the girls; stared at them not rudely but in wonderment, for Nellie and Rose were too far away from merrymakers to be mistaken for members of the excursion party.
“Oh!” exclaimed Nellie, catching sight of one of the boys.
“Well, I never!” gasped the boy at the same moment. “If there ain’t Nellie and Rose!”
“Oh, Andy!” cried Nellie, “do come and talk to us. We are not afraid to trust you. Don’t say who we are—don’t mention our names!”
The little fellow did not need to be cautioned. Neither did he wait for the invitation to talk to the lonely girls.
“Wherever have you been?” he asked. “Have you heard the news?”
“We haven’t heard any good news,” replied Rose sadly.
“Then I’ve got some fer you,” said the lad, shaking his manly little head. “The diamonds is found and I got the boodle!”