Skeeter wanted to take “flying machine” but that was too easy. Many suggestions were made but Nan finally hit on a word that they were sure he could never guess.
“The trouble is it is hardly fair to take a word that is so obscure,” objected Mr. Carter, who had been quietly enjoying the fun as much as any of the party.
“Well, it is a compliment to give him a hard one,” declared Mr. Tucker. “It means we have some reliance on his wit.”
Tom Smith was proving himself a very agreeable companion and old and young were feeling him to be an acquisition to the camp.
“You youngsters up there in the top of the tree, come down and be questioned!” cried the “Old Man.” “You, Bobby, what are you doing up there?”
“I’m a-playin’ I’m one er them there teakettles,” said that ready-witted infant. Everyone shouted for joy at his answer.
“And you, Frank Maury! Do you want to take a trip with me some day?”
“Sure! I’d ruther be a birdman than—a—teakettle,” said Frank lamely.
“Did you ever see one of these teakettles, Skeeter?”
“Naw, and nobody else.”