"Especially when it's in the nature of a 'roast,'" added Danny
Grin.

"If my father was severe with any of you I am certain that he
had good reason," replied Laura gravely, though her eyes twinkled.
"But what a splendid race you made against Trentville and at
one time we felt sure that you were beaten."

"We all felt the same way at one time," Tom Reade interjected.

"All except Dick," added Darry. "Why, if anyone were to kill
Dick Prescott, Dick would insist on the fellow coming around the
next day and proving his death."

"It was a splendid race, anyway," Belle glowed. "Do you notice
anything, boys?"

"Where?" asked Tom, looking blankly around.

"Anything about us?" Susie put in.

"Nothing," drawled Tom, "except that you're the finest, daintiest
and sweetest-looking lot of girls we know. But that's true every
other day in the week."

"We didn't ask you anything like that," Susie pouted, "though
doubtless it's all true enough. But don't you notice what we're
all wearing?"