“Ready to flop,” added Poke knowingly. “It is an excellent word, even if Mr. Webster doesn’t countenance it. What’s the matter, Jim?”
“I lost a screw somewhere. I guess it went down a crack when I got up.”
“That lock will be a wonder when you get through with it,” laughed Poke. “You’ve used up three screw-drivers and a perfectly good penknife on it so far.”
“The trouble,” responded Jim gravely, holding the offending article under his nose and squinting knowingly into its intricacies, “is with the tumblers.”
“Nonsense!” said Poke. “The trouble’s in the carburetor. It needs adjusting. How’s school going, Hope?”
“Fine!—I just love the teacher in our room.”
“Hm; wait until you’ve been there another week. Teachers all look good at first. They’re very—very deceptive.” Poke shook his head sadly. “I’ve had a great deal of experience with teachers.”
“I guess they’ve had a good deal of experience with you,” laughed Hope. Poke grinned.
“Well, I don’t deny that I have aided in the education of a few. Including our estimable Nancy,” he added rashly.