“Na-a-h!”
“Tick-tack?” asked Slush Ryder.
“Na-ah, tick-tacks is out o’ date,”
“Cord ter trip ’em up?”
“Guess agin, guess agin,” said Tom, exultantly.
But as no one ventured any further guesses, he announced his plan forthwith.
“Don’t say a word-don’t say a word,” he ejaculated. “I swiped two o’ thim quarantine signs offen two doors, ‘n’ I’m gon’er tack one up on Sissy’s door Friday night! Can yer beat it?”
None of them could beat it, for it was an inspiration. To turn away Master Connover’s young guests by this simple but effectual device was worthy of the leadership qualities of Tom Slade. Having thus advertised the possibilities of the signs he took occasion to announce,
“I got anoder one, an’ I’ll sell it fer a dime.” But even though he marked it down to a dime, none would buy, so he announced his intention of raffling it off.
Before the momentous evening of Connover’s party arrived, however, something else happened which had a curious and indirect effect upon the carrying out of Tom’s plan.