XXIV
JASPER AND BEN
"Oh," cried Jasper, "what fun! Polly could have all the fishing she wanted. Mr. St. John says the mountain brooks are just full of trout."
Ben's eyes glistened. To go fishing had always been one of the longings of his heart that the busy Badgertown days had given little chance to enjoy, when every minute that could earn a few pennies had to be devoted to helping Mamsie keep the wolf from the door of the little brown house.
"You and I would have some sport, eh, Ben?" Jasper leaned over to bring his dark eyes nearer.
"Yes," said Ben. He couldn't for his life get out another word.
"We must go," said Jasper to himself, "after that look. Father will say 'yes,' I almost know. And just think of Joel let loose in those woods," he said aloud.
This brought Ben to. "Yes, I know," he said, "Joe would run wild."
"Wouldn't he?" laughed Jasper. "Well, it would be the best thing for Percy and Van and all the rest of us," he added. "Oh, Ben, we must go!" He brought his right hand down on Ben's with a slap.