CHAPTER XXXVII
WORD FROM WASHINGTON
“I suppose it isn’t polite, but why did you and Chester happen over today, Andy?” asked Ted, as they sat about the campfire after supper.
“Can’t neighbours call without giving their reasons, in the East?” returned the agent quietly, while Chester blushed deeply.
“Of course they can,” declared Sallie. “You mustn’t mind Ted. He is irrepressible.”
“You mean irresponsible,” corrected Margie. “Well, you weren’t over here every few hours when we were alone,” protested the boy, impishly.
“Which proves their good sense,” retorted Margie. “Why should two men come to see two callow kids play farmers?”
“Oh, I understand,” grinned the boy. “Come on, Phil, we’ll leave the men with the young ladies.” But as Ted looked toward his brother, he saw him walking away with Joy, and, with a forced cough, he exclaimed: “Mr. Jay, won’t you and Mrs. Porter come into the house where we can discuss our plans uninterrupted by these children’s chatter?”
“But it was to discuss plans that Chester and I came,” declared Andy, when the laughter and rebukes of the girls had subsided. “We want to know if day after tomorrow is too soon for the house-raising.”
The exclamations of delight from the girls were rudely interrupted by Ted.