"Well, if the school is put out of commission for a month or two, I might manage to go with him."
"Wouldn't it be a great idea for the whole of us to go?" spoke up Bob Somers, turning to the others.
"That's the way to talk," exclaimed John Hackett, enthusiastically. "We could camp in the wilds—hunt, fish and have no end of sport."
"It would be mighty cold out there in the woods," ventured Tom Clifton, the smallest member of the party, "and the snow is ever so deep. Whew! There's twelve o'clock striking."
"Let it strike! Say, fellows, what do you think of this scheme?"
"Simply great! But it all depends upon whether they can find a place for the school," said Bob.
"There isn't a hall large enough in this little town—you know that. Might use a barn, though," grinned Hackett. "Fine to see Professor Hopkins standing on a bale of hay and conducting the opening exercises."
"Well, I'd like to go—but, and it's a great big but," sighed Dick Travers, "my dad might not look upon it the way I do."
"My fix, too," added Tom.
"Guess we could arrange that all right," said Bob, hopefully. "I think my father will agree to it."