“At all events we are making pretty good time.”
Indeed the smaller boy was able to maintain the pace at which his friend with the longer legs was moving over the field. Half the distance between the house and the road had been covered when John stopped and said, “Look ahead there, Fred. Isn’t that George and Grant waiting over yonder in the road?”
In response to the suggestion of his friend, Fred glanced quickly at the huge spreading oak tree that grew close to the fence. It was a magnificent tree, the pride of the country around about and the delight of many visitors. Beneath it an automobile was seen and then Fred exclaimed quickly, “You’re right, String, that’s George and Grant. Let’s slow up a little. We don’t want them to think we are in too much of a hurry.”
Accordingly the speed at which they were moving decreased and as they glanced behind them and saw that the conditions about the old Meeker House apparently were unchanged the boys ceased to run and began to walk.
“Don’t let them think we have been scared out,” again suggested Fred. “We’ll never hear the last of it if we don’t.”
Without replying John nodded his head and more slowly the boys walked across the intervening field and then climbed the fence and leaped lightly into the roadside when they drew near the place where the two boys were awaiting their coming.
“What’s your hurry?” demanded George, laughing as he spoke.
“We’re in no hurry,” responded Fred glibly.
“We’re hungry, that’s all,” said John. “We were afraid you would be keeping dinner for us.”
“That’s a mighty good excuse,” laughed Grant. “You didn’t act when we first saw you as if you were thinking of your dinner. I didn’t believe that either one of you could make such good time.”