Something more than an hour later he led the fellows around to his own corner.

He was just in time to see Mr.Prescott returning.
"You stay here a minute," young Prescott directed, then set off at a run to join his father.
"Did you--did you----" he panted, as he reached his parent.
"Yes," replied the head of the family, a bit stiffly.

"I made a nuisance of myself over at the Dalzells.

I talked and talked.

They talked, too, and both Mr.and Mrs.Dalzell asked me if I thought it at all safe to let such a busy little gang of hooligans as you boys go off on such an expedition.