Page:Fairview Boys and their Rivals.djvu/11



" fellows," said Frank Haven, "the long vacation is over at last."

"And now for school and study," added Sammy Brown.

"And fun!" echoed Bob Bouncer.

He was well named, was this Bob Bouncer. On this bright September morning, Bob looked full of vim and go. He skipped along the pretty village road like the active lad he was, bounding through life with a laugh and a cheer, and getting out of it plenty of fun and frolic.

"Don't look so glum, Sammy!" he cried. "If any fellows had a grand old vacation to brag of, it's us three."

"Yes, that's so, and no mistake," replied Sammy. "I'm not grumbling. I was just wishing that the boating, and the swimming, and getting wrecked on Pine Island, and that dandy time in the mountains, could last forever."

"Well," said Bob, "school isn't going to be a prison, is it? Especially this school. I found something this morning, and they say it's a sign that things will be stirring right along."

"What is it, Bob?" asked Sammy, eagerly.

"A lucky stone," replied Bob, with a chuckle, producing the object in question.

"Maybe it means that you're going to be put into a higher class," spoke Frank, with a smile.