better and was going to take a trip to New York. How is your mother?"
"Quite well. But the fact that old Crabtree is at large disturbs her very much. As soon as she heard of it, she went over to the Lanings' home to stay."
The boys had driven over to Hope in a carriage. When they started to return to Brill it was quite dark.
"We've got to hurry up," remarked Tom, as they rode away, Sam driving the team.
"Why so?" asked Dick. "We have no boning to do to-night."
"Have you forgotten the spread Bob Grimes is going to give? He said it was to be the finest yet given at Brill, and I don't want to miss it."
"That's so!" cried Dick. "Sure, we want to be on hand, since we are invited. Bob is a first-class fellow."
"Queer we forgot about that feast," murmured Sam. "But I suppose we were thinking too much of the girls," and he grinned sheepishly.
"What time is the spread to come off, Tom?" asked his big brother.
"Ten o'clock sharp, so Bob said."
"In his room?"
