He even joined in some of the choruses, and while there could be no doubt with regard to his good intentions, it was also a patent fact that, in the long years since Mr. Stebbins had sung, his voice had become wofully cracked. But then the boys cared nothing for that. It tickled them to see him clapping his hands to keep time with the music, and to notice how his wrinkled face fairly beamed with awakened satisfaction.
That had certainly been a day to be marked with a red cross in the life history of Uriah Stebbins; and it might be set down as certain that from that time on he would try to get closer to the hearts of boys than he had ever thought of doing before.
He could hardly tear himself away when the hour began to get late, that is, for a hard-working farmer who was at work at peep of dawn, often long before.
“I’m sure coming daown again tew see yeou, boys,” he said, as he went the rounds and squeezed a hand of every scout; “and mebbe if it’s all right I’d like tew fotch my Sally Jane along. I kinder think it would make the missus feel ten years younger if so be she could hear some o’ that fine singin’. Haow ’baout that, Mr. Hardy?”
“We’d be only too pleased to have you bring her any time, sir. And let me tell you, all of us have enjoyed this evening almost as much as you did; isn’t that so, boys?” and Hugh turned expectantly to the rest as he said this.
A chorus of approval answered him, and the old farmer went away in high spirits indeed; they even thought he stood up straighter, and walked with a more springy step than before.
“Of course we mean what we said,” observed Alec Sands after the old man had vanished from sight; “but at the same time that insures us a supply of dandy fresh eggs all the time we stay here. So things work out well for us, it seems.”
“Oh! don’t be so mercenary about it, Alec,” remonstrated Billy. “Why, it was worth a lot to me just to see what a remarkable change has come over Uriah. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wants to learn the newest songs, or even how to dance the tango with his wife if this new spirit keeps on growing.”
They continued to sit there for quite some time—it seemed so cozy by the fire.
Hugh was just thinking of saying that they had better be crawling inside their tents and trying to get some sleep, when he noticed Ralph Kenyon trying to attract his attention. Leaning forward, Ralph went on to say in a low tone: