“Why didn’t you go back to the cove yesterday afternoon?” asked Nelson.
“I was bell-boying,” answered Tom calmly. “Besides, you fellows were having your joke and I thought you might as well enjoy it.”
“It would have served you jolly well right,” replied Bob severely, “if we’d gone on and left you.”
“I wouldn’t have cared.”
“Oh, no, I suppose not,” said Nelson sarcastically. “I’d like to know what you’d have done.”
“Stayed right there until I’d made another dollar or two and gone on to New York to Dan’s house.”
“Huh! Dan’s father would have thrown you off the doorsteps! Think he’d have taken in such a looking thing as you were?”
“I’d have risked it,” laughed Tom. “When’s Dan coming back?”
“To-morrow morning. And as soon as he does we’re going to make trades for New Haven. I’m tired of loafing around here doing nothing but hunt for idiots,” said Nelson.
“Meaning me, dearie?” asked Tom. “Hope you choke. Say, can we get back to the boat to-night? It’s raining harder than ever.”