Page:The purple pennant (IA purplepennant00barb).pdf/186

Rh self on a corner of the table in the middle of the room.

"I hope I didn't scare you when I pulled the door open," he said. "Wouldn't want to do that, you know. Too flattered at having an audience."

"No, sir, we weren't scared," Perry assured him not too truthfully. "We oughtn't have done it, but—we heard you and"

"Just couldn't resist it, eh? Was it the words or the tune that hypnotized you?" He regarded Perry very gravely indeed, but there was a twinkle in his blue eyes.

Perry smiled weakly.

"I—I guess it was the words," he said.

"I'll bet it was! That's a nice song. I'll teach it to you some time if you like. Haven't I seen you boys around town?"

Perry nodded, casting a quick glance at Fudge. Fudge, however, had his gaze set longingly on the door.

"I thought so. I've got a good memory for faces. Pretty good ears, too." He laughed. "I suppose you fellows thought you weren't making a sound out there? Well, I heard you when you first came along the hall. Live around here, do you?"

"I do," answered Perry. "He doesn't."

"Well, let's tell our names. Mine's Addicks."