“Listen,” said Poke impressively, “if you’ll try for the squad and if you make it we’ll all help with your silly chores. Won’t we, fellows?”
“Right-O!” agreed Gil.
“Surely,” said Jeff.
“Besides,” Poke continued, “what do you have to do, anyway? Lug up a little coal, split some kindling, sift some ashes—”
“Beat some carpets, run some errands, fix some locks, study some lessons,” added Jim with a laugh.
“Oh, well, that’s nothing,” said Poke airily. “I’m a wonderful carpet beater; better than one of those vacuum things, Jim. Now that’s a fair offer. What do you say?”
Jim laughed.
“Will you report to-morrow?” Poke persisted.
“No, but maybe I’ll go down and look on for awhile.”
“All right! That’s a promise. You go down with Gil and me after school to-morrow. Don’t forget. Jeff, you’re a witness; you too, Hope. After he’s looked on awhile he will want to play. Jim, you’re a gone coon!”