“Thanks,” said Dan.
“You’re welcome. That’s the best way if you’re real fond of walking.”
“Oh,” said Bob suspiciously. “And supposing we aren’t?”
“Then you’d better go the shorter way and save about two miles,” answered the farmer gravely.
“Which way’s that?”
“Right down the track here for a quarter of a mile till you come to a road going to the left. Take that for half a mile and then turn to your right on the country road.”
“Thanks again,” said Bob. “You’ve had a whole lot of fun with us, haven’t you?”
“Well, you’re sort of amusin’,” answered the farmer with a twinkle in his eye. “But I been more entertained at the circus.”
Bob smiled in spite of himself, and the others grinned also; all save Tom.