"If anybody did that to a picture of Nellie I'd mash him into a jelly." All of the Rovers were awaiting the arrival of the girls with interest, and each was fearful that some poor recitation might keep him from going to meet them at the Ashton depot on Wednesday.

But, luckily, all got permission to go to town, and they started without delay as soon as the afternoon session was ended.
"Where bound ?" asked Songbird, in some surprise, as he saw them driving off in a carriage Dick had ordered by telephone.
"Going to meet Dora and Nellie and Grace," answered Dick.

"Do you--er--want to come along ?" "Oh, sure.

I'll see them all home myself," answered the would-be poet with a wink of his eye.

"No, thank you.