Of course they all laughed at Phil’s description of the condition into which it seemed they were drifting.
“It’s a habit that gives us a heap of lively satisfaction let me tell you,” said Lub, earnestly. “For one I like to look back and think of a lot of things we’ve had a hand in carrying through.”
“Yes,” said Phil, “we’ve enjoyed them to the limit, and the best part of it all is that they leave no regrets behind. I hope it will always be that way with the Mountain Boys.”
A little later on Phil took his turn at cuddling the small boy up close to him. He was talking to him in a low tone, and the others, knowing what he had in mind, did not bother him, but conversed among themselves of other things.
Presently Phil called softly to Ethan.
“Come and take him off my arm; he’s sound asleep, and my arm is too, so I can’t move it. Easy now, and lay him down where he’ll be the warmest.”
“That’s where my blanket happens to be,” spoke up Lub; “I’ve figured on having him with me to-night, Phil; so please don’t interfere.”
“I guess he’ll be snug enough alongside such a hot-box as you are, Lub,” interrupted X-Ray; and consequently Ethan gently laid the small chap so that Lub’s generous blanket could be tucked in around him.
“Did you manage to find out anything worth while, Phil?” asked X-Ray.
“Well, he’s some shy yet; and I’m a poor hand at trying to hold a talk-fest with a child that can’t say a single word,” admitted Phil; “but I’m sure now he does belong to the people we spoke about.”