“About nine months, I think,” he answered.
“Nine months!” exclaimed Bert. “We’ll have to get the money by the first of May at the latest. Besides, dime banks aren’t any good. I’ve tried them. You get hard up and then you open them and take everything out. If there was any way of earning some money——”
“Well, we’ll just have to think of a way,” said Nan. “I’m just certain sure we can do it if we give our minds to it. And it will be perfectly lovely, won’t it? We’ll be public benefactors!”
“We’ll be patrons of sport,” said Lanny. “Won’t the other fellows be surprised?”
“And pleased?” added Nan. She clapped her hands. “Let’s begin at once!”
“How?” asked Bert.
Silence ensued. Finally,
“We could—we could begin by saving,” faltered the Honorary Member.
Lanny shrugged his shoulders. “I haven’t got anything to save,” he said dolefully. “That’s why I didn’t go into town this morning. I’m flat broke and Haley told me last week he wouldn’t trust me for another penny. And I owe a quarter to the Pirate besides.”