“Exactly! But——” Mr. Parker paused. He had noted Sam’s earnestness; had marked how the boy was bending forward, and how his hands gripped the edge of the table. “But, you see——” Now he had caught his wife’s eye, and again hesitated. For some strange reason she was endorsing her son’s plea. He read the unspoken message; he saw her little nod of affirmation. “Why—why, give me a moment to consider,” he concluded.
“It’s vacation, you know,” said Mrs. Parker softly.
“I know—but I hadn’t thought of——”
“But you’ll think of it now, won’t you?” implored Sam.
Once more husband and wife exchanged glances.
“The fact that I hadn’t thought of taking you, Sam, doesn’t bar considering the proposition now,” said Mr. Parker. “Well, I dare say it can be arranged if——”
“Bully!” cried Sam enthusiastically. “Oh, but that’s fine, sir! And I want my crowd to go—the club—you know, sir!”
“What!”
“Yes, the club—all of ’em. That’s the best part of it.”
“Possibly—for the club,” said Mr. Parker drily. “But I’m not planning a wholesale migration.”