Part 20 (1/2)
”That's right! Accept the offer!” came from various parts of the hall
”With thanks!” added a htful man
”You seem to be of one mind,” went on the mayor ”I shall now put the question to a vote”
”Oneto his feet He was rather pale, for he was not used to speaking in public
”What is it, Herbert?” asked Mr Appelby ”Don't you favor this?”
”I most certainly do, and so do all the boys All ant to know is, ill become of our departet the cheer quickly ”The ade will attend to theine away if you want to”
”We'll do nothing of the kind!” exclaiine, when there was no prospect of Lakeville having anything like a departanization and---”
”Yes, and we can put out fires!” interrupted Cole ”My force pu Cole by the coat-tails ”Let Bert do the talking”
”That's all right I was going to tell them about my force pump,”
murmured Cole
”They don't want to hear it Listen”
”I think we ought at least be allowed to continue our organization, and be recognized by the town as a part of the fire departines, but ould like to keep our hand engine”
”No, we don't want it!” cried Mr Sagger ”We have no use for you boys The ade into a regular department”
”That's ill!” caanization ”Then we o home, boys!” exclaimed Herbert, somewhat bitterly ”They have no use for us here”
”Onein his seat
Everyone turned to look at him
”I think so,” he went on ”My offer to buy two cheines was made because of the very efficient work the boys of this town did in putting out the fire inthe boys aside, now that we are about to have a regular department”
”Hurrah!” came from the irrepressible Cole ”My force pump---”
But his companions man, with a look at the boys, in their natty unifor”
”What is that?” asked Mr Appelby quickly
”It is this: That the boys are to be in charge of the regular department, just as they now are of the volunteer one!”