“See the little buckle business? Boys don’t wear that sort.”
“Where is Mumps?”
Billy scowled. “That’s against the rules, you two being separated.”
“We aren’t. He’s in earshot.” Hugh sent a musical “hoo-hoo” into the distance, which was immediately answered.
“Is there water so near?” Bob questioned incredulously, while Hugh went on with his calls, singly, in groups, and by spaces.
“Mumps has four fish,—bass.”
“Well, how in jiminy do you know that?”
“Oh, it’s a little set of signals we decided before he set off.”
“Trust the Fairy for talking by signal; he’s a cracker-jack at that,” Billy explained.
Sydney came up with the fish cleaned for broiling; and presently the others came in. It had stopped raining, and the sun though not shining still warmed and brightened the air.