Page:The purple pennant (IA purplepennant00barb).pdf/140

Rh his way with the sufficient sum of eighty cents jingling in his pocket. Cheered by the anticipation of hot coffee and food, the others were restored to good humor. Lanny said he guessed the old concern would get along just as fast if they all got on it. They tried it and could see no difference in the rate of progress, and being near the boiler was a lot warmer than walking along in the little breeze that had come up with the moon. At Gordon's suggestion, Lanny instructed him in running the machine and, after a few trips back and forth, he took Lanny's place at the throttle while the latter was glad to get down and stretch his legs. They completed the diamond and started on the outfield. Lanny declared that the work was a huge success, that the ground where they had rolled was as hard and level as a billiard table.

"Of course," he added, "it would be a lot better if we could go over it two or three times."

"Maybe," said Gordon hurriedly, "but we're not going over it two or three times, you simple idiot! Once is enough. My folks hate to have me late for breakfast!"

"One good thing," said Way, "is that to-morrow—no, to-day—is Sunday and we have breakfast later."

"So do we," replied Gordon, "but I'm wondering