“Aw, we were only having a little fun,” Pat growled. Already he was edging toward the door. “Come on, fellows. Let’s scram!”
As quickly as they had come, the intruders were gone. Mr. Hatfield waited until the door had slammed behind them, and then asked Brad about the youngsters.
“That was Pat Oswald and his bunch from out Bay Shore Road way,” the Den Chief replied. “They’re always making trouble.”
The Cubmaster offered no comment except to remind the Cubs that it was time for the meeting to start.
“Where’s Fred?” Dan asked, noticing that Mr. Hatfield’s son was not with him.
“He’s waiting upstairs in the meeting room,” Mr. Hatfield replied. “He’s getting acquainted with our new Den member.”
“New member?” Dan asked quickly. The other Cubs, hearing the remark, gathered about to ask questions. This was the first hint they’d had that a new boy had joined the group.
“Come along and meet him,” Mr. Hatfield invited.
Chips, Red and Midge rushed on ahead up the stone stairway. Deliberately, the Cub leader lingered behind to speak privately to Brad and Dan.
“As a special favor to me, I wish you fellows would look after Chub,” he said quietly. “Teach him the ropes.”