“But—but what is it?” asked Polly, refusing to accept the two dimes that Ned proffered.
“Madam, I am settling the debt of none other than our distinguished and rattle-brained friend Kewpie. At his request. It seems he—er—he neglected to settle for the entertainment you provided him this afternoon, and, torn by remorse—”
“Oh, I knew he forgot!” exclaimed Polly gladly.
“He would,” said Laurie pessimistically. “He has a perfectly remarkable forgetory. I guess he’s the champion long-distance forgetter—”
“Don’t be horrid,” begged Polly. “With so much on his mind, it’s no wonder he—”
“On his what?” exclaimed Laurie. “Ned, did you get that? Kewpie has so much on his mind! Honest, Polly, when Kewpie takes his cap off he hasn’t—”
The kettle caused a diversion by boiling over just then, and the conference broke up.
Kewpie awaited Laurie in No. 16, and as the twins entered he broke into speech. “Say, Nod, when—”
“To-morrow morning. Half-past ten. Back of the gym,” replied Laurie promptly. Kewpie stared, puzzled.
“What?” he demanded suspiciously.