What's your queer game?" asked Bobolink, ready to swing over already,
such was his faith in the one they had elected their leader.

The boys crowded around Paul, more than eager to hear what his proposal
might turn out to be; for novelty always appeals to the average lad.

"All of you know that old Peleg keeps his dooryard in a horrible
condition. Why, my mother says she doesn't believe it has been cleaned
up in years; and he hardly ever takes the trouble to even put his wagons
and that old buggy in the shed. It's a disgrace to the town to have him
so near. I've heard that the women talked about asking him to do
something to make it look cleaner."

"He's a stubborn old man, and can't be driven, my dad says," remarked
Jud.

"Now here's what I'm going to propose. You know he's pretty deaf, and
can't hear much that goes on. He used to have a savage dog, but it died
a couple of weeks ago, and since then he's been trying to get another,
but so far without success. Get that?"

"Yes, but go on, Paul," demanded Bobolink.

"Let's go over to Peleg's in a body," continued the scout leader; "and
while he sleeps clean up that dooryard of his so that in the morning
he'll just rub his eyes and begin to think the fairies have paid him
a visit in the night. And when he learns who did it perhaps he may feel
something like you did, William. Don't you see, _it'll be rubbing it in
good and hard_!"