"Why, Buzzard would—"
"No, we hain't room for no more?" interrupted Gotobed. "We're not agoin' to have the ladies crowded."
"Speak fur yerself, Gote Lightcap," spoke up Rhoda Jane with spirit. "There ain't none of us so disobligin' as not to be willin' to scrouge a little for the sake of accommodatin' a fellow critter in distress. Set up a little closer, girls, and there'll be lots o' room."
"Yes; the more the merrier, and the closer the warmer," assented Sarah Miller, Gote Lightcap's partner for the expedition, who had noticed with vexation and chagrin his evident interest in Mildred Keith. "Come on, Buzzard," making room for the singing teacher between Rhoda Jane and herself.
"Thank you, ladies. I shall be a thorn between two roses," he said, taking the offered seat with a laugh at his own stale jest.
"Now we've got the singing master along, let's have some music," said Rhoda Jane, when they were fairly on their way.
"Yes, you'll be expected to pay your way Buzzard," remarked Ormsby.
"I hope I'll always be found willing to do that," he responded. "Miss Lightcap, what shall I sing?"
Highly pleased that the choice was given her, Rhoda Jane promptly named a love song she had heard him sing as a solo.