“Well,” he said, with a long breath, “that’s just the kind of a trip I’d like to take. You see, fellows,” he went on, confidentially, “I’d like to rough it a bit, and forget all about mussing up my clothes and getting my hands dirty. You chaps may think it funny that I want to butt in, when I never saw you before; but you look like the right sort, and I guess we could get together all right. Hang it, I’m sick of having everything I want thrown at me. There—it’s out now. Knocking around does a chap a world of good.”
“Nothing better,” agreed Bob Somers.
“Well, will you take another passenger? I was going to Albany at the end of the week, anyway. I’ll pay you well.”
Jack glanced at his chums, and they nodded.
“Certainly,” he answered. “Never mind about the pay; but you’ll have to rough it a bit.”
“Didn’t I tell you that’s just what I want to do?”
“Perhaps your guardian will object?”
“I generally have a way of doing what I like,” said George, dryly; “though once in a while uncle puts up an awful kick.”
“We were going to leave this afternoon,” suggested Joe.
“I can easily catch up with you if your house-boat doesn’t put on too much speed,” laughed George. “Pierre can make that auto fairly hum. But come ahead, fellows, and take a look at the house.”