Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/243

 Abner seemed relieved at the prospect of lingering, for the memories of last night’s supper were still fresh in his mind. But his tone was a bit testy as he said, “Of course if ye’re tuckered out we must accept Professor Carlton’s hospitality a bit longer. But we must git up to the end of the trip ahead of Noisy Charlie.”

“We could start to-day, Abner, and leave Stanley here to pick up,” mischievously suggested Bub. “Then we could call for him later.”

“No need of going to that bother,” quickly discouraged Abner. “Charlie won’t git along for a few days and we might as well take a rest.”

Miss Laura shot a sharp glance at the two youths to show she appreciated the old man’s desire to enjoy her cooking further, and tempted, “I’ll make you something extra nice, Mr. Whitten. Something that the others shall have none of.”

“We can stay just as well as not,” hastily assured Abner. “And as we’re eating ye out of house and home the Great Northern Land and Paper company will settle all the bills.”

“There can be no question of settlement,” gravely said the professor. “Incidentally I