Page:Anna Chapin--Half a dozen boys.djvu/300

268 “In the hammock, Rob. What sends you home so early?”

“Early!” thought Rob mischievously, “I’ve been gone nearly three hours and a half. Mr. Muir must be exciting, if time goes so fast with  him round.” But all he said was,—

“I want him to come down to Bert’s. We beat those fellows all to pieces, and we’re going  to have a grand bonfire to celebrate. Can he go?”

“Yes,” said Bess rather doubtfully. “but you must take care of him, Robin. Remember, he can’t go into it just as you do; and be careful  your own self. We don’t want any burned boys on our hands.” And she returned to her  game, amidst Rob’s fervent assurances that all  would be well.

This time Fred was induced to go. He rolled out of the hammock, and the two boys, arm in arm, tramped off down the street towards the house of Dr. Walsh. At the extreme rear of the large grounds, they found Phil, Ted, Sam, and Bert, with the rest of the victorious nine, busily piling up a huge mound of brush. To any one glancing about the well-