"I've done many a good turn to folks in my life. Every boy in Landon ought to be here this minute waiting on me. The ungrateful little rascals, never to think of—" Just here his thoughts were interrupted by a loud rap on the door. "Come in," said Uncle Simon, starting up, then sinking back in his chair as another twinge seized him. "Come in."
But he was not prepared to see sixteen of the young rascals march in with skates on their arms, and headed by a tall figure in military dress carrying a basket. The small room was full.
"What's this? What's this?" said the old man.
"We are the Landon Skating Brigade," said their leader. "Our headquarters are at the Curve, and we have brought you some wood and some provisions for Washington's birthday. We intend to split the wood, too."
The boys looked at one another in dismay. This was more than they had bargained for, and Ralph gave a low growl of disapproval. The spirit of the occasion, however, was on them, and the General went on, uninterrupted:
"Perhaps you don't remember the boy you fished out of the Dip five summers ago, just as he was going down the third time?" With this remark the General took off his cocked-hat, and with it came the wig.
"George Hastings!" exclaimed the old man.
"Yes, George Washington Hastings." Young Hastings explained that he was home from college to spend his birthday, had heard of Uncle Simon having a visit from his old enemy, the rheumatism, and of the preparations going on at the Curve. "Then I planned this campaign," he ended.
"It beats everythin'—it beats everythin'! You are a second George Washington," said Uncle Simon, in a choked voice.
The boys made three more trips to the Ledge that night, and on the last one they insisted on giving George Washington a ride.