"Here, you can read over my shoulders," and this was done, amid much merriment.

Songbird had but little news and promised to be at college when they arrived.
"Oh, I hope the _Dartaway_ carries us there in good shape," murmured Tom.

"It will be an arrival worth remembering!" Before he left home Dick had a long talk with his father and his Uncle Randolph.

When he rejoined his brothers he was unusually sober.
"What is it, dad's business affairs ?" queried Sam.
"Yes, Sam." "Are they in bad shape ?" questioned Tom, quickly.

"What's gone wrong ?" "It's something about those mining shares that dad and Uncle Randolph invested in," answered Dick.