Part 24 (1/2)
In this way it happened that he was not seen by any of his companions, and his day's expedition was kept a secret.
Just after breakfast James Congreve received a call at the hotel from Philip.
”Our friend in the wood must be hungry by this time,” said James.
”Ho, ho!” laughed Philip, in evident enjoyment. ”It's a splendid joke.”
”I fancy he doesn't think so,” said Congreve, shrugging his shoulders.
”Of course he doesn't. He must have been fully scared, staying there all night.”
”He doesn't strike me as a boy who would easily be frightened,”
”At any rate, he must be hungry,” said Philip, in a tone of satisfaction. ”I guess he'll find it doesn't pay to insult me.”
”Well, he's had enough of it; we'll go and release him.”
”What for?”
”You don't want him to stay there all day, do you?” demanded Congreve.
”It wouldn't do him any harm,” muttered Philip.
”What a mean fellow you are, Philip! You ought to be satisfied with keeping him there all night.”
”I wish you wouldn't call me names,” said Philip, pettishly.
”Don't deserve them, then. Well, are you coming with me?'
”I don't know; it's a good ways,” said Philip, hesitating.
”Just as you like. I am going. I told the boy I would, and I mean to keep my promise.”
And James Congreve stepped off the piazza and started.
”Oh, well, I'll go, too. I want to see how he looks,” said Philip, and began to laugh.
”Take care how you laugh at him there, Phil, or he may pitch into you.”
”You won't let him, will you, James?” said Philip, apprehensively.
”I thought you were a match for him,” said Congreve, with an amused smile.
”So I am, but he might take me unawares. He'll be so mad, you know.”
”I'll protect you,” said Congreve. ”Come along.”
Both boys would have liked to learn whether Harry had been missed at home, and what was thought of his disappearance; but there seemed to be no one to ask, and, for obvious reasons, they did not care to show any curiosity on the subject.
”I'd like to meet Mr. Wilkins,” said Philip. ”He boards there, you know, and he might say something about it.”