Sammy Brown turned squarely about, and walked away from his chums without saying a word.

For a moment Frank and Bob looked after him, and then they looked at one another.

"There he goes," exclaimed Frank.

"And I guess he's mad, too," added Bob.

"But I didn't mean anything."

"Neither did I!"

"Let's call him back."

"Let's go after him!"

Thus Bob and Frank spoke, one after the other. Then Bob cried:

"I say, Sammy! Come on back! Wait a minute. We didn't mean anything."

[Pg 32]

[Pg 32]

But Sammy kept on his way, never turning his head to look back. On he plodded through the snow that was still falling.

"He's real mad this time," said Bob.

"Yes, I guess we'll have to apologize, same as Jed Burr did," agreed Frank. "Come on!"

Together they raced after Sammy, and, catching up to him, they grasped him by either arm. They spoke quickly and eagerly by turns.

"We didn't mean anything."

"We were only fooling."

"Maybe there is a hermit on Pine Island after all."

"We—we apologize!" burst out Frank.

 Prev. P 21/86 next