Part 9 (1/2)

”We hardly have any fun any more at Hope,” said Nellie. ”It's just lessons and lectures from morning to night, and the instructors are that sharp! Yesterday I missed a question in ancient history and I was nearly scared to death.”

”Humph! ancient history is enough to scare anybody to death. What's the use of studying ancient history when there is so much history still to come of which we know absolutely nothing?” and Tom looked around with the air of a profound professor.

”Here is where we once came over in the _Dartaway_,” said d.i.c.k, a little later. ”I guess you'll remember that ride,” he added, to his bride.

”Shall I ever forget it!” murmured Dora. ”Oh, how glad I was to get away from that horrid Josiah Crabtree and those Sobbers!” went on the girl, with a shudder. She referred to a happening which has been related in detail in ”The Rover Boys in the Air.”

”Well, the Sobbers are going to get what is coming to them,” put in Tom.

”And old Crabtree, too,” said d.i.c.k. ”They told me up at the hospital that the double break in his leg will make him more or less of a cripple for life.”

”Well, if ever a man deserved to be punished it was Josiah Crabtree,”

said Sam. ”He was a bad egg from the first time we met him at Putnam Hall. But I say, let us forget all that unpleasant past and enjoy ourselves,” and he started up another song, and the others joined in.

By six o'clock they reached Spotswood and d.i.c.k ran the touring car around to the big hotel located there. Then they went inside and washed up a little. In the dining room a special table had been set for them in an alcove. There was a big bouquet in the center and a small bouquet at each plate.

”Say, d.i.c.k, this is immense!” said Sam, admiringly.

”Just too lovely for anything!” burst out the Laning girls simultaneously.

”How did you come to think of the flowers?” asked Tom, putting his bouquet in his b.u.t.tonhole and letting Nellie pin it fast.

”That was Dora's idea,” answered the big brother.

”I thought it would brighten things up,” said Dora. ”It's our first dinner together since--since--you know,” and she blushed prettily.

”Since the wedding feast,” said Sam. ”Well, it's just A, Number One!

Couldn't be better!”

”That's what!” cried Tom.

d.i.c.k and Dora had ordered the dinner with care, so there was a well-selected course, starting with tomato bisque soup and ending with ice-cream and crackers, cheese and coffee. They had some dainty fish and an extra tenderloin steak, and it is perhaps needless to state that the boys did full justice to all that was set before them, and the girls also ate heartily, for all were still in their growing years.

Tom created some fun by sticking some stalks of celery in the big center bouquet on the sly and then asking Dora what sort of flowers she had ordered mixed in. And Nellie told d.i.c.k he ought to make a speech and he said he'd leave that to Tom, whereupon the irrepressible Tom said he would deliver a lecture on 'How to Cook for Two Alone' if d.i.c.k and Dora wanted to listen. Then the fun became general and lasted long after the meal was over.

It was moonlight outside and presently all went to the broad veranda of the hotel. Tom naturally paired off with Nellie and Sam with Grace, and d.i.c.k and Dora wisely kept out of the way.

”We had our day, now let them have theirs,” said d.i.c.k, to his bride.

”By all means, d.i.c.k,” returned Dora, with a smile that made him pinch her arm. ”But listen, dear,” she added, in a whisper. ”Did you--did you notice Tom?”

”Yes.”

”He tries to keep up, but he isn't himself at all.”

”I know it, and so does Sam, and, I might as well admit it, Dora, both of us are a good deal worried,” replied the young husband, gravely.

CHAPTER VII