The boys laughed. “We have had our teas,” said one. “A hextra meal don’t make no difference to the likes of us.”
And so, indeed, it seemed; for the coffee and eatables disappeared in almost no time.
The boys were not as much surprised as boys would have been twenty years before, at the invitation.
“They are trying another dodge on us, that’s all,” whispered one to his mates; but they looked with a little curiosity when the plates and cups had been collected; and when, for a moment or two, the ladies had left the room, a brisk bit of betting went on.
“Ten to one on Music!” “Thirteen to one on Sign the Pledge!” “Twenty to one agin Gambling—look out!”
“We cannot tell how glad we are to see you,” said Tom, rather nervously, as she took her seat. “You can spare time to stop a little while, cannot you?”
“That depends,” said one. “I’ve got a pressing engagement—very pressing, indeed; but I’m always ready to oblige a lady, specially such a stunner as you, miss.”
“Thank you; much obliged for the compliment. Well, we are going to tell you a story. You like tales, don’t you?”
“Yes; but not true ones, mind.”
“Very well. Miss Miller will tell the first and I the second.”