Barbour Ralph Henry
Four Afoot: Being the Adventures of the Big Four on the Highway
CHAPTER XXI
WHEREIN TOM LOSES HIS TOOTHBRUSH AND DAN TELLS A STORY
The next day, which was Saturday, the seventeenth, dawned clear and cold. It was the first touch of real autumn weather they had had, and when they hurried downstairs the fire in the living room, which had been freshly built, felt very good. Will came down with them. He declared himself “all right,” but he was so uncommunicative and so ill at ease that it was difficult to find out much about him. Mr. Cozzens tried his best to draw him out at breakfast, but his embarrassment was so painful that it seemed kindness to let him alone. After breakfast they went out to the point to look after the sloop, taking the dory with them. The wind was in the north, and bit fingers and noses as it swept across the blue, white-capped bay. They found the sloop where they had left her. The tide was high, and a good sea was still running, but things looked vastly different from what they had the afternoon before. This morning it was hard to believe that there were such things as storms.
Mr. Cozzens and Nelson set out in the dory. They found the sloop two-thirds full of water, and set about pumping her out. Will had told them that they would find a pump in the locker, and they soon had it at work. After they had the water pretty well out they found that several of the planks had sprung, and Mr. Cozzens advised hauling her out on the beach and having her repaired. So they pulled the anchor in, and Nelson rowed back to the beach for Dan and Bob. The latter and Mr. Cozzens took a line from the sloop’s bow and fixed it to the stern of the dory. Then they got into the latter, and tried to pull the sloop off the sand bar, while Dan and Nelson stood in the stern in order to raise the forward part. It was hard work, but at the end of twenty minutes the sloop was afloat again, and half an hour later she was lying on her side well out of water, thanks to the efforts of Prince and all hands. There they left her, after securing her with a couple of cables, and it was decided that Will should return home by train to Greenport and ferry to Sag Harbor. They paid him five dollars, since, as Dan pointed out, they had really benefited by the misadventure, and Will, with muttered thanks and farewell, disappeared in the direction of the station.
A little while later the Four, too, took their departure, thanking Mr. and Mrs. Cozzens heartily for their kindness, and promising to come again to the red cottage if ever they had the opportunity. Mr. Cozzens walked with them as far as the neck, and pointed out their road to them.
“Good-by, boys,” he said. “I’m glad I had the pleasure of meeting you, and I hope it won’t be the last time. Come and see my school some time. Meanwhile, let me hear from you about your friend as soon as you can. Good-by and good luck!”
The nip in the air was conducive to brisk traveling, and when, at noon, they reached Jamesport they had eight miles to their credit. In the afternoon they did still better, and reached Fairhaven, twelve miles distant, tired and hungry and happy, at half-past six. They found letters awaiting them at the post office in the morning. Mr. Speede wrote that, since Dan was really in earnest, he would be glad to do anything in reason for Jerry, “even to the extent,” he wrote, “of becoming custodian and administrator of the Fund!” Tom’s father and Nelson’s also professed themselves eager to help, and Jerry’s life for the next two or three years seemed to be nicely arranged. If only they could find Jerry!
The day was Sunday and, although warmer than yesterday, was still pretty cold. In spite of the fact that by waiting for the post office to open they had delayed their departure until after nine o’clock, they had resolved to make the day’s journey a record one.
“We haven’t done a real day’s work yet,” declared Bob. “We’ve just been loafing along. If we can make Kingston to-night that’ll leave us only about half a day’s tramp to Barrington, and we can get there to-morrow noon. Then we can find Jerry, spend the night there, and go to the steamer landing Tuesday morning.”
“How far is Kingston from here?” asked Dan.
“Not over twenty miles.”
“We can do it, then.”
“Of course we can,” agreed Nelson. “We’re in good shape now.”
“Yes,” answered Dan. “Even Tommy’s shape is better, I think. I’ll bet he’s walked off ten pounds.”
“No, I don’t believe so, Dan,” said Bob. “You see, as soon as Tommy loses any flesh, he gets busy at the table, and puts it right back.”
“Well, come ahead,” said Dan. “Let’s get at it. Where’s that dog got to? You Barry! Where are you, you rascal? Oh, found another bone, have you? My, you’re getting more and more like Tommy every day; eating all the time!”
“Hope you choke,” said Tom in a good-natured growl.
That day’s march was barren of incidents worthy of mention, unless the incident of Tom’s knapsack is worth speaking about. It was after dinner, and they had done some fourteen of the possible twenty miles when there was a cry of disgust from Tom.
“What’s the matter?” asked Dan, turning.
“Mu-mu-mu-matter!” answered Tom. “Mu-mu-matter enough! Lu-lu-lu-look at mu-mu-my knapsack!”
“What have you done to it?” asked Nelson in amazement. “It – it’s empty!”
“No wonder,” said Bob with a smile; “it’s all untied.”
“That’s no way to fix a knapsack,” said Dan soberly. “What have you done with your things?”
“Du-du-du-done with them!” sputtered Tom. “Wh-wh-wh-what do you su-su-suppose I’ve du-du-du-done with them? Eaten th-th-th-them?”
“Well, we know your appetite, Tommy,” said Nelson gently.
“Th-th-they’re su-su-scattered fu-fu-from here to the hotel! Wh-wh-wh-what’ll I du-du-do?”
By this time the others were laughing at the tops of their lungs, and it was several moments before any suggestions came. Tom stared from one to another of them in mingled reproach and indignation. Finally,
“Sit down and wait for them to catch up with you,” Dan suggested.
“Send Barry back for them,” said Bob.
“Whistle,” said Nelson.
But presently they agreed that it was hard luck, and finally calmed Tom’s despair.
“I’ll go back with you a ways,” Nelson volunteered, “and the others can go on if they want to.”
“We’ll wait awhile,” said Bob, “and then if you don’t show up we’ll walk ahead slowly, and give you a chance to catch up with us.”
Luckily they found most of the missing articles within a mile and a half. Tom’s toothbrush and a pair of stockings, however, were not to be seen.
“Let ’em go,” said Tom. “I’ll get a brush at Kingston or Barrington; and it doesn’t matter about the socks because I’ve got plenty more in my trunk. Help me tie this old thing up right, will you?”
The knapsack rearranged, they started back.
They caught up with Bob and Dan two or three miles outside of Kingston, and reached that town just at dusk. Nelson and Tom were inclined to be stuck-up over the fact that they had done three miles more than the others and therefore held the record. But Dan maintained that it didn’t count when you went over the same ground twice. Of course they went to the hotel in which they had put up on the occasion of their previous visit and where Barry had distinguished himself, and of course they received a warm welcome. Barry was in real danger of death from overeating, so attentive was the proprietor. After dinner they told the latter of their further adventures with the thief, and it was plain to be seen that he didn’t approve of their clemency, although he didn’t say so. When bedtime came Dan and Nelson went into the room occupied by Bob and Tom, and stretched themselves out on the bed while the others undressed. After Bob had brushed his teeth he carried his toothbrush over to the bed in a stealthy manner, and placed it under his pillow.
“What the dickens is that for?” asked Dan.
“S-sh!” whispered Bob, finger on lips. “You know Tommy lost his.”
“Huh!” answered Tom amid the laughter. “You needn’t think I’d use yours!”
“That reminds me,” said Dan, with a giggle. “Did you ever hear about the Englishmen on the steamer?”
“Help!” cried Nelson. “Help! Dan’s going to tell a joke.”
“Never mind,” said Bob soothingly; “humor him; laugh if you possibly can.”
“All right; you say when, Bob.”
“Shut up,” said Dan, “and let me tell you. It’s funny. I read it in – in —Punch, I think it was.”
“Punch!” howled Nelson. “Good night, you fellows; I really must be going.”
But Dan pulled him back to the bed.
“You stay here,” he said. “This joke’s all right if it did come from Punch.”
“Let him tell it and get it over with,” advised Tom, between splashes at the washstand.
“Well, there was an Englishman,” began Dan. “No, there were two Englishmen.”
“Make it three, old man,” advised Nelson. “There’s luck in odd numbers.”
“Shut up, you! They were on a steamer, and had the same stateroom.”
“Which had the lower berth?” inquired Tom.
“And they were strangers to each other,” continued the narrator. “Well, one of the Englishmen went down – ”
“Which one was it?” asked Bob.
“Went down to his cabin and found the other chap – ”
“I know!” cried Tom.
“Well, what is it?” asked Dan indignantly.
“He went down and found the other chap had stolen the berths!”
“Oh, you go to thunder! He found the other chap using his toothbrush.”
“Now!” cried Bob, and he and Nelson proceeded to go into spasms of laughter.
“Best thing Punch ever printed!” gurgled Bob.
“Frightfully funny!” moaned Nelson. “Oh! Oh! I shall die!”
“Imagine – imagine how the – toothbrush felt, Nel!” shrieked Bob.
“Say, will you shut up?” said Dan, pummeling Nelson. “That isn’t all of it. Wait till I tell you. The first Englishman – ”
Loud groans interrupted him.
“It isn’t all, Bob,” said Nelson sorrowfully. Bob shook his head.
“Bear up, Nel! Who knows? Maybe he’s forgotten the rest.”
“I know!” interrupted Tom again.
“Know what?” asked Dan.
“The rest of it. The toothbrush was loaded!”
“Loaded, you idiot! How do you mean?”
“Had – had powder in it and – ”
“Oh, you fellows make me tired,” said Dan good-naturedly, rolling off the bed. “Come on, Nel.”
Nelson allowed himself to be pulled to the floor, and then found his feet.
“All right, Dan,” he said. “Let’s go. They have no sense of humor here. They’re a stupid lot, anyway. Barry’s the only one who has any sense.”
“Hold on!” cried Tom, as the door was closing. “I want to know which of the two had the lower berth.”
“Find out,” replied Dan disgustedly.
Later, when the lights were out, and Dan and Nelson had composed themselves for slumber, the latter broke the silence.
“Say, Dan!”
“Yep.”
“What was the rest of that story?”
“Will you shut up and let me tell it?” asked Dan suspiciously.
“Honor bright! Go ahead!”
“Well, you see, the first Englishman came down and found the other Englishman using his toothbrush, and – ”
“Meaning the toothbrush belonging to the first Englishman?”
“No – yes!” answered Dan. “Of course the first Englishman’s toothbrush, you idiot. I said that, didn’t I?”
There was no answer, and he went on.
“‘I say, my dear fellow,’ said the first Englishman, ‘that’s my toothbrush you have there!’ ‘Really?’ said the second Englishman. ‘I beg your pawdon, old chap! I thought it belonged to the ship’!”
Dan chuckled in the darkness, and waited for Nelson’s laughter.
“I think that’s pretty good, don’t you?” he asked presently.
There was no answer. Nelson was snoring placidly. Dan rolled over and thumped his pillow.
“Idiot!” he muttered.
CHAPTER XXII
WHEREIN GOOD-BYS ARE SAID, AND BARRY MAKES HIS CHOICE
“Well, we’re pretty near home,” said Bob at the breakfast table the next morning. “To-morrow afternoon we ought to be in New York.”
“Then it’s back to school!” sighed Tom.
“I’m ready,” said Nelson. “School’s all right, Tommy. I’m going to have a good time this year. A fellow always does his last year.”
“Wish it was my last,” said Tom. “You fellows’ll be sophomores at Erskine when I get there, and I’ll be a freshie and you won’t have anything to do with me!”
“Oh, if you behave yourself, Tommy, we’ll speak to you now and then as we pass,” said Dan. “We’re not the kind to go back on an old friend.”
“You could make up a year if you tried,” said Nelson. “If you had some coaching next summer you could pass the college exams all right.”
“He and Jerry might be coached together,” suggested Bob.
“Well, I’m going to try,” answered Tom forlornly, “but I don’t believe I’ll be able to make it. If it wasn’t for Latin – ”
He shook his head dejectedly.
“Cheer up, Tommy,” said Dan. “In hoc signo vinces, old chap! Never forget that. That means ‘While there’s life there’s hope.’”
“And E pluribus unum means one out of many,” rejoined Tom sadly. “And the one’s me.”
When they had stopped laughing, Bob said:
“I think we’ve had a pretty good time this trip, taking it all in all, don’t you?”
“Dandy,” answered Nelson. “We always do when we get together. Look at the fun we had last summer at Chicora! I think we ought to do something else together next summer. What do you say?”
He looked eagerly around at the others.
“Sure!” cried Dan. “Let’s get together, the four of us, every summer until – until we don’t want to!”
“Good scheme,” said Bob. “Let’s decide on something for next year.”
“That’s not so easy,” answered Nelson. “But we can think it over and write to each other in the spring, and – ”
“What I’d like to do,” interrupted Dan, “would be to go on a cruise somewhere.”
“Sail, do you mean?” asked Tom anxiously.
“Sail or row or paddle or any old way,” answered Dan. “Pass me the toast, Nel, if you don’t want it all.”
“Catch,” answered Nelson. “Look here, how would a cruise in a launch do?”
“Swell!” said Tom.
“Just the ticket!” agreed Dan.
“Well, I think I could get our launch; I guess dad would let us have it for a month or so; and we could have a bully time.”
“That would be all right,” said Bob. “Or if we couldn’t do that we might get some horses, and take a riding trip. I knew a fellow who – ”
“That’s too much like walking,” interrupted Dan. “What’s the matter with an automobile?”
“Where are you going to get it?” asked Bob sarcastically.
“Oh, borrow it. Tom’s father has a machine, hasn’t he, Tom?”
“Yes, but he isn’t fool enough to lend it to us!”
“That’s because he doesn’t know us,” answered Dan, unruffled. “I can run an auto to beat the band.”
“Not with me inside, you can’t,” said Nelson decidedly.
“Well, we’ll think it all over,” said Bob. “There’s lots of time. What we’ve got to do now is to hit the trail for Barrington and Mr. Jerry Hinkley. Aren’t you most through, Tommy?”
Tommy declared, with his mouth full, that he was quite through, and a few minutes later they were once more on their way, with the journey’s end well in sight.
“It’s certainly done you good, Dan,” said Nelson presently, as they were crossing the river. “I guess that doctor of yours knew what he was talking about. I’ll bet you’ve put on ten or fifteen pounds since we started.”
“I guess I have gained a bit,” answered Dan. “Anyhow, I surely feel fine and dandy. But I’m sorry it is all over; I’d like to turn around and do it all over again, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes, if it wasn’t for school,” replied Nelson. “Say, I’ll see you at the football game, won’t I? And you promised to come up over Sunday some time.”
“I’m going to. Only I mustn’t let the fellows know it or they’ll throw me out. Personally, Nel, I can stand the disgrace, but – ”
“Oh, dry up! We’re going to beat you at football this fall. Hillton’s going to have the finest team that ever – ”
“Was beaten by St. Eustace,” laughed Dan.
Whereupon the argument waxed warm, and for a mile or more they talked football with all the enthusiasm customary when two live, manly, American boys get together in the autumn weather.
They had covered about half the distance to Barrington when the rattle and rumble of a heavy farm wagon coming along behind warned them to the side of the road. As they got out of the way Nelson glanced carelessly around. Then he gave a shout that attracted the attention of Bob and Tom, who were some fifty yards ahead, and brought them scurrying back. The farm wagon came to a halt, and in the next instant Nelson and Dan were clambering up and shaking hands with Jerry Hinkley.
Jerry was back in his farm clothes, but for all of that he presented a different appearance to-day than on the occasion of their first meeting. Perhaps his clothes were a little neater and cleaner; surely his hair no longer looked like an overgrown mop, but was well cut and smoothly brushed. There was no doubt that Jerry was a very good-looking boy. But I think the principal change lay in his expression. To-day he looked smilingly confident, self-assured, as though knowledge of his capabilities had found him at last, and he was eager to prove them. Much of his former diffidence, however, remained, and he shook hands with the Four, and answered their delighted greetings with smiling embarrassment. Then they were all climbing into the wagon, Jerry’s way being theirs.
“Say, just look at Barry, will you,” said Bob. “He’s making friends with the horses.”
And sure enough the terrier was leaping at the noses of the two big sorrels and whining delightedly. And the horses evidently reciprocating the sudden affection, were bobbing their heads down to him as he leaped about. Dan called to him and lifted him into the wagon, where he scurried industriously about, sniffing and sneezing and pawing at the litter of dusty straw and chaff.
“Where are you going?” asked Jerry as he chirped to the horses.
“We were going to see you,” answered Nelson. “Isn’t it odd we should have found you like this? Where have you been?”
“Just down the road a piece. I was delivering a load of grain for Mr. Osgood.”
“Does he live near here?” asked Tom.
“About a mile beyond,” answered Jerry. “I’d like for you to stop and see him. I – I been telling him about you.”
“Of course we’ll stop,” said Nelson. “Besides – ” He paused and looked inquiringly at the others. They nodded.
“Go ahead,” said Bob.
“Fire away,” added Dan.
“Besides,” Nelson resumed, “we’ve got something to tell you. I guess we might as well tell it now.”
So, clinging to the seat to keep from being shaken off, he told Jerry of the arrangements they had made for his future, and finally of Mr. Cozzens’s offer of a situation at St. Alfred’s. And when it was all over, and Tom and Bob and Dan had each added eager and unnecessary explanations, Jerry still sat silent, his eyes fixed on the ears of the off horse. They waited a moment. Then,
“Look here, Jerry, it’s all right, isn’t it?” asked Dan anxiously. Jerry nodded.
“Good,” breathed Dan relievedly. “I was afraid you – er – ”
“I ain’t said nothing – I mean anything – because I don’t know what to say,” Jerry finally remarked, with a quick, embarrassed glance at Nelson. “I – I – ”
He faltered and stopped.
“Don’t say a word,” returned Nelson. “It’s all right.”
“But I want you all to know that – that I’m very much obliged. It – it’s more than that, only I can’t just say it. I – I don’t know why you fellows have been so good to me.”
Bob laughed uneasily.
“You’re such a good fellow, Jerry, we wanted to help you,” he said. “We haven’t done anything much, though; the hardest part is left for you, old chap. But I think you’re going to make good, Jerry; we all think that; so don’t you disappoint us.”
“I won’t!” answered Jerry almost savagely. “I’m going to make you fellows glad you did it, see if I don’t!”
Nelson clapped him on the shoulder.
“That’s the way to talk, Jerry! And if you can get that place at St. Alfred’s it’ll make a lot of difference. Why, you can learn any amount there this winter, and have your board and room besides. Mr. Cozzens said it wouldn’t be awfully easy, you know, plenty of work and all that; but you’ll have time for lessons and study, all right.”
“I don’t care how hard the work is,” answered Jerry. “I can do it. Only – ”
“Only what?” asked Bob as he hesitated.
“Only I don’t know as I ought to go. You see, I engaged with Mr. Osgood for all winter.”
“Oh, he will let you off,” said Nelson. “We’ll see him and tell him just how it is. That’ll be all right, Jerry.”
“I hope so,” said Jerry. “There’s the farm now; that’s his house, the white one yonder.”
Evidently Mr. Osgood was one of the progressive sort. Everything about the place, from the busy windmill to the big white house with its wide verandas and well-graveled walks, was scrupulously neat and clean, and a general air of prosperity pervaded it. And when they had rattled up the driveway to the barn, and the owner of the premises appeared before them, they discovered him to be just such a man as his place indicated. He was middle-aged, tall, and muscular looking, with a pair of humorous and kindly blue eyes which sparkled brightly from his tanned face. The boys liked him on the instant, and Nelson decided that he would not have much difficulty in securing Jerry’s release.
They tumbled out of the wagon, and were introduced by Jerry. Mr. Osgood declared heartily that he was very glad to meet them, especially as he had heard so much about them from Jerry, and was in the act of shaking hands all around when an interruption occurred. The interruption was in the form of Barry, who, released from the wagon, had spent a moment in running excitedly about the ground, and now was leaping enthusiastically upon the farmer, whining and barking joyously. Mr. Osgood stopped and looked down. Then an expression of deep surprise overspread his face.
“Well, I’ll be switched!” he said slowly. “Where under the sun did you come from, Laddie?”
There was a moment of silence save for the terrier’s frantic explanations. Jerry, unhitching the horses, paused and looked at Dan. Dan’s face was a study. He was striving very hard to keep from looking miserable. Finally,
“Is that your dog, sir?” he asked.
“It surely is,” answered Mr. Osgood. “He disappeared about two or three weeks ago. May I ask where you found him?”
So Dan, eagerly assisted by the others, recounted the tale of the terrier’s rescue and subsequent adventures, and the farmer listened interestedly. Then,
“Well, that’s what I call a plucky piece of work,” he said admiringly, “and I’m much obliged to you. I hadn’t had Laddie long, but I was getting mighty fond of him when he disappeared. And I’m glad to get him back.” He hesitated. “I advertised in the Barrington paper and offered ten dollars reward, and so – if you don’t mind taking it – ”
But Dan shook his head.
“I’d rather not, sir,” he muttered. “Barry’s made it up to me lots of times. I – we – got quite fond of him, sir.”
“I s’pose you did,” said the farmer thoughtfully, eying Dan. “I’m sorry,” he added simply.
“What’s his name, sir?” asked Tom.
“His full name’s Forest Lad, but I call him Laddie. He used to belong to a Mr. Hutchinson who has a place about a mile from here and raises dogs. They say Laddie got a prize once at some show in New York, but I don’t know for sure. He got sick in the spring, and one day when I was over at the Hutchinson place with some grain I admired him, and Mr. Hutchinson said I could have him if I thought I could cure him. I said I guessed all he needed was plenty of fresh air and exercise – he was in a run over there, with a fence around him – and so I took him. And it did cure him too. Now, I guess Laddie got sort of homesick one day, and started out for Hutchinson’s. The place is closed up this summer – the family’s in Europe, I think – and it’s likely that when Laddie got there he didn’t find anyone around. Maybe he thought he’d sort of wait awhile. I guess that’s how you happened to run across him.”
“I guess so,” Dan agreed.
“I want you boys to stay to dinner,” continued the farmer. “It’ll be ready in about half an hour. And if Jerry’s through with the team he might show you around. Maybe you’ve never seen an up-to-date farm, eh?”
So Mr. Osgood excused himself, and Jerry took them in charge. Barry, for Dan was always to remember the terrier by that name, elected to go with them, much to Dan’s delight, and acted as though he was guide instead of Jerry. There was much to interest them, and they weren’t nearly through when the bell rang for dinner, and they had to hurry back to the house. They found quite a company assembled in the dining room, for besides Mr. Osgood there was his wife and two daughters, an elderly lady whose relationship wasn’t quite plain, Jerry, and four other farm hands. So they made quite a tableful when all were seated. It was a bully dinner, to quote Tom – and Tom was a bit of an authority on such things – and they ate heartily. And presently Nelson brought up the subject of Jerry and Mr. Cozzens’s offer, and their host listened in silence. Nelson painted in vivid colors the advantages to accrue to Jerry, and when he was through, the farmer ate for a minute in silence. Finally,
“Well, I’m sorry to lose Jerry,” he said thoughtfully, “but I’m not going to stand in his way. I didn’t get overmuch education myself, but I’m not fool enough to think it’s unnecessary. I guess if I’d had more of it I might have arrived where I am to-day a good deal earlier. So Jerry does just as he wants to in this matter. But if he takes my advice he will go to this school you tell about. What say, Jerry?”
Jerry maintained an embarrassed silence for a moment. Then,
“I think I’ll go, sir, if it ain’t putting you in no hole,” he replied. “Leastways, I’d like to see Mr. Cozzens and talk it over with him.”
“Right you are! You’d better go over to-morrow morning. And then if you decide to stay I’ll send your things over to you. But you must let me know right away so’s I can get some one in your place. Help isn’t easy to find this time of year.”
“Thank you, sir,” answered the boy gratefully. “I’ll write to you to-morrow afternoon if I don’t come back.”
[As a matter of fact, Jerry didn’t come back. He stayed at St. Alfred’s, and never regretted it for a moment. But all this has nothing to do with the present story.]
After dinner the boys completed their tour of inspection, and then made ready to depart. Dan had been looking pretty downhearted, and when the time came to take leave of Barry he didn’t feel much better. They shook hands with Mr. Osgood, were cordially invited to come again, and then turned to Jerry.
“Good-by, Jerry,” said Bob. “Don’t get discouraged if the work seems hard at first. It’s going to be a tussle, but you can do it.”
“That’s so,” said Tom, shaking hands. “Just you bu-bu-bu-buckle down to it, Jerry. Remember we’re bu-bu-back of you!”
“Good-by,” said Dan. “And good luck.”
“Good-by, Signor Danello,” answered Jerry with a shy effort at pleasantry. “I – I’m sorry about – the dog.”
Dan nodded and moved away.
“I’ll write to you now and then,” said Nelson, “and tell you about things at school – our school, Jerry – so you can keep your courage up. And you’ll write to me, won’t you?”
“Yes,” Jerry replied eagerly. “Only – I ain’t a very good writer, Nelson.”
“That’s all right; neither am I, I guess. Good-by. Good-by, Mr. Osgood! And thanks for letting Jerry off.”
“Good-by,” echoed the others.
The Four turned down the walk to the gate. Barry, who during the proceedings had been manifestly uneasy, now pricked his ears and watched Dan’s departure with alert interest. Once he turned and looked inquiringly at Mr. Osgood. The farmer returned his look with a smile and a wink. Perhaps Barry understood that, like Jerry, he was free to choose for himself. For after one indecisive moment he gave a bark and flew down the walk as hard as he could go. He caught Dan at the gate, and leaped ecstatically about him. Dan, his lips trembling, waved him back and tried to tell him to go home. But the words wouldn’t come. Bob and Nelson and Tom watched, silently sympathetic. Barry ran into the road and turned, his tail wagging fast, as though asking, “What are you waiting for? Aren’t we all here?”
“Barry,” muttered Dan miserably, “I can’t take you, old chap. You aren’t my dog any more. You – you’ll have to go home.”
Then footsteps crunched on the gravel, and Dan turned to find Mr. Osgood smiling kindly into his eyes.
“I gave him his choice,” said the farmer, “and he’s made it. He’s yours if you want him, my boy.”
Three hours later the Four – or should I say the Five? – were standing on the deck of the little steamer watching the Long Island shore recede across the waters of the Sound. The boat’s nose was pointed toward New York – and school and study and hard work. But every face there showed happiness and contentment. For, being healthy and sensible, they knew that study and hard work stand just as much for enjoyment as do vacation days. And of all in the group there on the deck the happiest was Dan, unless – well, unless, possibly, it was Barry!
