“I want you boys to promise to come and visit us here some time, this year if you can; if not, next. And when you’re in New York look us up. Both Mrs. Carey and I will be delighted to have you. We feel a sort of proprietary interest in you after yesterday’s little incident and don’t want to lose sight of you completely. I’ve written a line or two to Mr. Clinton, so I guess you won’t get lectured very hard. Good-by and good luck, boys!” And Mr. Carey shook hands all around, was followed by Mr. Merrill and the skipper, and at last the train pulled out, the Four waving from the car steps until the crowded platform was a speck in the distance.
“He’s a swell fellow,” said Dan, as they sought their seats. “And we’ve got to make him a present or something.”
“Good scheme,” said Bob heartily. And they talked it over most of the way up to Warder, and finally decided that a silver loving cup with a suitable inscription would be as appropriate as anything they could afford.
“We’ll put her name on it too,” said Tom.
“Mrs. Carey’s?” asked Bob. “You bet we will!”
“Sure!” said Nelson. “I’ll never forget that beef broth she fed me!”
They caught the five o’clock launch, as they had planned, and climbed the hill to camp just as the last supper-call was blowing.
“That sounds good,” muttered Dan. “It’s like getting home.”
When they entered Poplar Hall and sought their seats at the tables it was at once evident that the news of yesterday’s escapade had preceded them. Such a hand-clapping and cheering as burst forth was quite disconcerting, and Nelson, at whom the most of it was directed, poured milk into his bowl of cereal until it overflowed and ran into his lap. After supper the Four were mobbed and made to give a public recital of events; but long before Bob, to whom the task of narration fell, had finished they were summoned to the office. After all, it wasn’t so bad. Mr. Clinton had some forcible things to say to Dan on the subject of standing up in a canoe during a wind, but after that he demanded the story and became so interested that they began to take courage. And afterward he complimented Nelson and shook hands with him.