Part 24 (1/2)
Meanwhile, the girls, with their hand luggage, trooped down the long dock to the _Lanawaxa's_ boarding-plank. Heavy Stone turned suddenly in the hot suns.h.i.+ne (for it was a glowing noon) to find two of the smaller girls mincing along in her very footsteps.
”I say! what are you two Infants following me so closely for?” she demanded.
”Please, Miss,” giggled one of them, ”mother told me to take Sadie for a nice long walk, but to be sure and keep her in the shade!”
This delighted the other girls immensely, for it was not often that anybody got ahead of the plump girl. She was too good-natured to take offense, however, and only grinned at them.
They all crowded aboard and sought seats on the upper deck of the steamer. Tom had met some of his friends who attended the Seven Oaks Military Academy, among them big Bob Steele and little Isadore Phelps.
Of course the boys joined the girls, and necessary introductions were made. Before the _Lanawaxa_ pulled out of the dock, they were all having great fun.
”But how we will miss Madge!” was the general cry of the older girls, for Bobbins' sister no longer attended Briarwood Hall, and her absence would be felt indeed.
Not being under the immediate eye of his sharp-tongued sister, Bobbins showed his preference for Mercy Curtis, and spent a good deal of time at the lame girl's side. He was so big and she was so slight and delicate, that they made rather an odd-looking pair.
However, Bobbins enjoyed her sharp tongue and withstood her raillery.
She called him ”Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum” and made believe that she was very much afraid of him; yet it was noticeable that there was no venom in the sharp speeches the lame girl addressed to her big cavalier--and Mercy Curtis could be most unmerciful if she so desired!
Soon they were on the train again, and a short run to the Seven Oaks station, where the red brick barracks of the Military School frowned down upon the railroad from the heights above.
”I wouldn't go to school in such an ugly place,” declared the girls.
Here is where they separated from their boy friends. A great, ramshackle bus, and another vehicle, were waiting at the end of the platform. An old man in a long duster stood beside the bus to help the girls in and see to their baggage. This was ”Uncle Noah” Dolliver.
At once The Fox formed the girls into line, and keeping step to the march, they tramped the length of the platform, singing:
”Uncle Noah, he built an ark-- One wide river to cross!
And in it we have many a lark-- One wide river to cross!
One wide river!
One wide river of Jordan!
One wide river!
One wide river to cross!
”The Sweetbriars get in, one by one-- One wide river to cross!
The last in line is Heavy Stone-- One wide river to cross!”
And the plump girl _was_ the last one to pop into the ancient equipage, filling the very last seat--_tight_!
”Lucky you brought along another wagon, Uncle Noah,” said The Fox, as the remainder of the girls ran to the second vehicle.
Both of the wagons soon started. It was a hot and dusty afternoon and the girls were really crowded.
”I'm squeezed in so tight I can't think,” moaned Helen.