Tom laughed loudly.
"Did you really think I was in earnest when I told Matt yesterday that I thought he had been shamefully treated?" said he, as soon as he could speak. "Why, Ralph, I thought you had more sense. I said that just to make him mad. If I succeeded, he will do the work that we would otherwise have been obliged to do ourselves."
When they reached the drug-store they found Prime waiting for them. After he had treated them to a cigar apiece, he led them through a rear door into a store-room, where they discovered a dozen or more fellows perched upon boxes and barrels, each one puffing vigorously at a cigar or pipe. They were engaged in a very earnest conversation which they brought to a sudden close when the door opened.
"Here they are," exclaimed Prime, as the boys arose to their feet and took their pipes and cigars out of their mouths. "Tom Bigden, and his cousins Ralph and Loren Farnsworth, gentlemen. I believe you have met some of my friends before at lawn parties, ball matches and
