A howl of merriment sent the dignified gentleman away in disgust.
"That was a piece of nerve, wasn't it?" said John Hackett.
"Frightful!" returned Nat. "Let me see, what was I saying? Oh, yes, ha, ha! I feel sorry for those chaps, but I can't help laughing. This is the way it happened."
Nat then related the particulars, frequently interrupted by exclamations and questions. Several loungers who crowded up also seemed to be interested in the story.
For some time, the Nimrods discussed the extraordinary event.
Suddenly Nat Wingate remarked: "Feeling any better, Ted? I got some stuff for you."
Young Pollock's pale face and listless manner showed that he felt far from his usual self.
The day before, while rambling through the woods, the lad had come across a plant that he supposed to be an artichoke. Only Nat's fortunate arrival at that moment prevented him from eating more of the poisonous wild parsnip. As it was, Ted had been sick all day, and he vowed never to touch any of the wild plants growing in the woods.
"What have you got, Nat—pills with an awful taste?" questioned Ted.
"There's a policeman making a bee-line this way," broke in Hackett. "Say, do you suppose that fellow who fell out of his tub back there made any kick?"