Page:The purple pennant (IA purplepennant00barb).pdf/141

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GORDON DESERTS HIS POST

if I can sneak in without being caught. Wish I'd thought to unlock the porch window. I supposed we'd be all done this by twelve!"

"If we get it done by four we'll be lucky, I guess," said Lanny. "There comes Morris."

"I could only get a quart," panted Morris as he came up. "The chap in the lunch wagon was afraid he'd run short if he gave me any more. Here are some paper cups; got those at the drug store. And here's your grub; eight ham and three hot-dog sandwiches."

"Three?" ejaculated Gordon.

"Yes, I ate one on the way. Stop your old push-cart till we feed."

"Better keep her going," said Lanny. "We can eat en voyage."

"Didn't get any of that," replied Morris flippantly. "They were all out of it. Hold your cup, Way. Is it hot? I came back as fast as I could, but——"

"Don't you worry," sputtered Way. "It's hot enough to scald you. Good, too! M-mm!"

For several minutes conversation ceased and only the rumble and clank of the roller broke the silence. Then, when the last crumb was gone and the paper cups had been added to the flames, there were four

contented grunts. "That's better," said Lanny.

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