Part 34 (1/2)
CHAPTER XVIII
YOUNG MR. COME-BACK & CO.
”Say, you fellows----” began Hen, stepping out and joining d.i.c.k & Co.
All six turned to gaze at Dutcher. Then they looked at each other, the same thought in six minds. It was d.i.c.k who spoke:
”Hen, we came near overlooking the fact that this is your chance to get back to your friends. Get on your coat, your cap and mittens, and----”
”Whatcher talking about?” demanded Dutcher, looking almost startled.
”Hey! Mr. Dock!” bellowed Dave, using his hands as a megaphone.
The rather distant constable turned to look back.
”Please wait! There's a boy to go with you,” Dave called.
”A-a-a-ll right,” the answer came back.
”Hurry, Hen,” d.i.c.k advised.
”But--but I don't want to go,” protested Hen.
”You'd better,” d.i.c.k advised him. ”We housed you while it was necessary, but now there's a chance to get back to your uncle's, so you may as well go.”
”I don't want----”
”Never mind about that,” d.i.c.k continued firmly. ”You'll be better off at your uncle's, and Constable Dock is headed that way.”
”But my uncle doesn't want me,” whined Hen.
”Then why should you think we can endure you, Hen, if your uncle can't?”
demanded Tom Reade, with a short laugh.
”Don't keep the constable waiting, Hen,” d.i.c.k pressed him. ”Get your motion started.”
”Oh, well, if you fellows want to be mean, I suppose I'll have to go,”
faltered Hen. ”But I was enjoying myself here.”
”You'll enjoy yourself better still with your aunt,” d.i.c.k urged with a smile. ”Besides, you'll have your aunt's good cooking and a real bed to sleep in. If the country highways aren't broken out yet, they will be in a day or two, and then you can get back to Gridley.”
”All right, if you fellows bounce me out of camp,” sighed Hen ruefully, as he began to pull on his overcoat. ”But I think you're about the meanest----”
”Save the rest of it, Anvil, if you please, until we're all at home in Gridley,” Dave begged him.
”Say, you stop calling me Anvil,” snarled Dutcher. ”I don't like that name.”
”Why not?” pursued Dave. ”It fits you.”
”Tell that boy to hurry up, if he's going with us,” bawled Mr. Dock from a distance.