“Oh, Tommy Tiptop!” exclaimed his sister Nellie, who met her brother a little later as he was nearing home. “You’ll get it! Look at your clothes!”
“Does the dirt show much?” asked Tommy, anxiously.
“Oh, it’s awful! Isn’t it, Grace?” and Nellie turned to a girl with her.
“Couldn’t help it—had to slide home to keep from getting put out,” murmured the young ball player. “Say, Nellie, do you s’pose ma’ll say much?”
“No, I guess not; there’s too much going on at home,” answered Nellie.
“What’s going on?” asked Tommy quickly.
“It’s a secret, and I’m not going to tell you,” replied his sister. “You wouldn’t let me come fishing with you the other day, and I’m not going to tell.”
“Huh! Girls can’t fish. They’re afraid to put the worms on the hook,” retorted Tommy. “But I’ll let you come next time I go, if you’ll tell me the secret.”
“Nope. I haven’t told anybody but Grace, and I’m not going to.”
“Well, I don’t care; keep your old secret, then! I’ll get one of my own, and, anyhow, ma’ll tell me when I get home,” said Tommy, and broke into a run to find out what the news was that had caused his sister to act so strangely.