Page:Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag, Volume 5.djvu/34

24 When the last day came, he was in such spirits that he was found doing double-shuffles in corners, hugging the midshipmite, who was a little girl of about Kitty's age, and treating his messmates to peanuts with a lavish hand. Will had her hornpipe, also, when the curtain was down, kissed every one of the other &quot;sisters, cousins, and aunts,&quot; and joined lustily in the rousing farewell cheers given by the crew.

A few hours later, a cheerful-looking boy might nave been seen trudging toward one of the railway-stations. A new hat, brave in blue streamers, was on his head; a red balloon struggled to escape from one hand; a shabby carpet-bag, stuffed full, was in the other; and a pair of shiny shoes creaked briskly, as if the feet inside were going on a very pleasant errand.

About this young traveller, who walked with a sailor-like roll and lurch, revolved a little girl chattering like a magpie, and occasionally breaking into song, as if she couldn't help it.

&quot;Be sure you come next Saturday; it won't be half such fun if you don't go halves,&quot; said the boy,