(Enter Billie and Tom with schoolbooks, which they throw down, shouting: "We got a half-holiday!")
Billie
The big boys are goin' to play ball. Dad, can't we go watch 'em? (Mary and Jim look at each other.)
We ain't seen a ball game this year, and we want to learn to play. They're makin' a little boys' team at school.
Mary
Daddy's workin' awfully hard to-day. He needs you bad to pile brush for him.
Jim
You can't go to-day, boys. Next time——
Billie (hopeless)
Oh, next time! It's always next time.