"
When they at last started for the Edwards house the boys felt that their
modest mission of mercy had developed into quite a festive occasion.
Their purchases ranged from dill pickles through ginger snaps to
chocolate creams; while the Woman carried jellies and preserves and all
sorts of dainties that inspired Dan with a sudden belief, confided to
George, that invalidism, unmixed with literature, was not so much to be
dreaded as he had always fancied.
"Depends on whether you get castor-oil or cake," was the pessimistic
reply of one who had gone through bitter experiences along those lines.
"This just shows what belongin' t' orders does for you, Dan. If Ben
wasn't a member o' the Bow Wows, I'll bet he could 'a' died an' hardly
any one would 'a' known it but his mother. An' now he's havin' a party
give to him 'cause our Society kinda hinted to her what we was plannin'
when she showed up." And for once an approving glance was cast toward
the Woman.
"When I'm old enough," decided Dan, "I'm goin' t' belong t' everything.
You can wear feathers an' gold braid in processions, an' have stuff like
this when you're sick, an' bully funerals with brass bands when you're
dead."
"Me too," agreed George heartily.
As they turned the corner into Second Avenue, a short distance from the
Edwards cabin, an adventure befell them which was fully covered by Rule
Seven of the "Rules and Regerlations" of their Order: "To help thoes in
Trubble." It came at the very end, just next the important one which
forbade any hint of sharp practice in dog trading; and had been added
after they had listened to the Woman's story about King Arthur and his
Knights.
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