Part 24 (1/2)
”Oh, I've had a perfectly lovely time!” declared Belle, when she and the others were on their way to the depot.
”And so have I had a lovely time,” added Cora Dartmore. ”But I'm so sorry your friend lost that fortune,” she added. Ben had said good-bye over the telephone, the wire of which was once more in working order.
”If you ever do hear of those miniatures you must let us know,” went on Belle.
”We'll be sure to do that,” answered Laura. And then the train came in, and, with a final handshake all around, and with several kisses exchanged between the girls, Belle and Cora climbed on board, Dave and Phil a.s.sisting them with their suitcases.
”I'm sorry I'm not going with you,” cried the s.h.i.+powner's son, ”But I've promised Dave and Roger to stay a few days longer.”
”Be sure to send us a letter as soon as you get back home,” cried Jessie.
And then the train rolled out of the station and the visitors from the West were gone.
On the night before Phil took his departure the three chums had what they called a ”talk-fest” in Dave's room. They spoke about many things--of how they had first gone to Oak Hall, and of various adventures that had occurred since that time.
”The Oak Hall boys are becoming scattered,” said Phil. ”I don't suppose they'll ever all get together again.”
”Oh, we'll have to meet at some future graduation exercises at the Hall!” cried Dave. ”I can't think of letting such fellows as Shadow Hamilton, Buster Beggs, and Sam Day drop.”
”Right you are!” came from Roger. ”If I can get there at all you can count on my going back to Oak Hall whenever there are any commencement exercises.”
”I half wish I was going into this civil engineering business with you two fellows,” continued Phil. ”But I'm afraid I'm not cut out for that sort of thing. I love the sea and everything connected with s.h.i.+ps.”
”That shows you're a chip of the old block,” announced Dave, clapping his chum on the shoulder. ”You take after your father, Phil, and I don't think you could do better than to follow him in his s.h.i.+pping business.”
”If I do follow him in that business, I tell you what you've got to do,” announced the s.h.i.+powner's son. ”Some time you've both got to take a nice big cruise with me.”
”That would suit me down to the shoe-tips,” returned Roger.
”It would be fine, Phil,” answered Dave. ”But just at present, Roger and I have got to bone to beat the band if we want to pa.s.s that examination. You must remember that being away from home on account of that blizzard put us behind quite a good deal.”
”Well, you won't have me to worry you after to-night,” grinned the chum. ”Starting to-morrow morning you and Roger can put in twenty-four hours a day over your studies, as far as I am concerned.”
”Wow! Listen to that! He's as considerate as old Job Haskers used to be,” exclaimed the senator's son. And then, picking up a pillow, he s.h.i.+ed it at Phil's head.
Another pillow was sent at Roger in return; and in a moment a so-called ”Oak Hall pillow fight” was in full progress in the room, pillows, blankets, books, and various other objects flying in all directions. Then Phil got Roger down on one of the beds and was promptly hauled off by Dave, and in a moment more the three youths were rolling over and over on the floor.
Suddenly there sounded a knock on the door.
”h.e.l.lo! Who is that?” cried Dave; and at once the three youths scrambled to their feet, readjusting their clothing as they did so.
”Oh, Dave, such a noise!” came from his sister. ”What in the world are you doing in there?”
”We are only bidding Phil good-bye,” answered the brother, sweetly.
CHAPTER XVIII
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING EXAMINATION