"I don't expect to die," returned her imperturbable brother. "And if I do I'll at least have had one everlasting good feed."
"Tim!" expostulated his horrified mother.
"Well, I will have," repeated the boy. "And anyhow, I don't believe I've eaten so much more than other folks. I notice you don't mention little Carlie here. He's worried down some food to-day, and like as not Hal Harling has, too. What's more, I'll bet a hat Hal won't go supperless to bed."
At that moment a rap came at the door and Mary sprang forward to admit the very young gentleman in question.
"You see, I'm returning your call on schedule time," grinned he, shaking the snow from his outer garments. "I can't stay but a moment; but I had to come and tell you what's happened. What do you think of that?" Diving into his pocket he held forth a handsome watch and chain.
"Who've you been robbing?" drawled Carl.
"I don't wonder you say so, kid. Can you beat it? Did you ever see such a beauty?"
"But—but—Hal, where on earth did you get a thing like that?"
"Well may you ask, kid! Think of me hitched to a gold watch! Oh, it's mine all right. Have a look inside the back cover. There's my name, you see, in perfectly good English."
"Where did you get it, Hal?" demanded Mrs. McGregor, as the gift traveled from one admiring hand to another.