“We needn’t tell him that, especially as we don’t know ourselves, but I can’t see any harm in talking over other matters,” declared Phil.
“Sure! Let Jennie and Peleg in on the excitement,” urged Steve, and accordingly it was agreed that they should be told of Mr. Hopkins’ sending the horses and of his promised visit but not of his forwarding any money.
“What relation be you to Si?” queried the storekeeper of Phil, when he had been told the facts.
“Isn’t that the whistle of old 18?” exclaimed Steve, ere either of the boys could speak.
“That’s what it is,” asserted Andy, after a moment’s pretended listening. “Who’s going down to the track with me?”
Having purposely created the diversion that there might be no necessity of answering Peleg, Steve quickly announced that he, the boys, and Jim were going.
“Oh, I wish I could. I’ve never seen horses unloaded from a car,” exclaimed Jennie, wistfully.
“You shall. Come on!” cried Ted.
“You can’t, nuther. There won’t be no one to watch the store unless I stay and I want to go,” whined the storekeeper.
“I guess I can’t go,” sighed his daughter. “I’ve got to stay here.”