from the world of adventure and romance to that of stern duty and dull
toil.

"Say, boys, we'll be late," cried Larry, in sudden panic, seizing his
oar. "Come on, Ben, let's go."

"I guess it's pretty late now," replied Ben, slowly taking up his oar.

"Dat bell, I hear him long tam," said Joe placidly. "Oh, Joe!" cried
Larry in distress. "Why didn't you tell us?"

Joe shrugged his shoulders. He was his own master and superbly
indifferent to the flight of time. With him attendance at school was a
thing of more or less incidental obligation.

"We'll catch it all right," said Mop with dark foreboding. "He was awful
mad last time and said he'd lick any one who came late again and keep
him in for noon too."

The prospect was sufficiently gloomy.

"Aw, let's hurry up anyway," cried Larry, who during his school career
had achieved a perfect record for prompt and punctual attendance.

In ever deepening dejection the discussion proceeded until at length Mop
came forward with a daring suggestion.

"Say, boys, let's wait until noon. He won't notice anything. We can
easily fool him."