"Yes, we are," replied Tom Sherwood. "You see, we graduated from Hilltop last February, and when we found out that the Chief was coming up here, we asked him to take us in tow for a while before camp regularly opened."
"He's going to give us a course in geology," added Arthur Cameron, "and we're going to make a survey around here this summer."
"Geology!" repeated Ralph. "That's my pet subject. Some day, you know, I'm going to study mining engineering."
"That so? Well, come along with us for a 'prelim,'" suggested
Arthur, in the true scout spirit of friendliness.
Ralph sighed and shook his head.
"Wish I could!" he admitted. "Haven't time to spare, though."
"Studying?" queried Tom.
"No, working" And Ralph stated briefly and frankly the nature of his work.
"Like it?" again inquired Tom, who was always interested in people and their occupations.
"I don't mind the work itself," said Ralph, "it's not half bad, you know. But selling vegetables in the village market, and haggling with stingy buyers over the price of cabbages and green peas, is what gets my goat!" He laughed ruefully. "I guess I'll have to be jogging on my homeward way," he added. "So long! Come over and see me on the farm, if you're ever along that way. I'll show you my traps and perhaps we can go out on a little hunt—er—-that is, if you——-"