“There isn’t any hotel there, far as I know,” said Mrs. Hooper, shaking her head.
Dan whistled softly, and even Bob looked discouraged.
“I guess it’s the cold, cold ground for us to-night,” said Dan. “If I only had a ham sandwich——!”
Mrs. Hooper cast a glance up the lane.
“Maybe you boys wouldn’t mind sleeping in the barn,” she suggested doubtfully.
“Indeed we wouldn’t,” said Bob.
“That would be fun,” assented Nelson.
“Anyway, I don’t see what better you can do,” said the woman. “It’s a good five miles to Samoset, and I don’t know of any hotel nearer than that. You go around here by that wall and cross over to the barn back of the garden. You’ll find the little door at the side unlocked. There’s plenty of hay there, and I guess you can be right comfortable. As soon as I can I’ll bring you out some supper.”
Tom let out a subdued whoop of joy, and Dan did a double shuffle in the grass.
“It’s mighty good of you,” said Bob warmly.