"Well, if that isn't the limit!" exclaimed Bart. "I s'pose you're sorry
some of us didn't get all cut up and bruised, so you could patch us up."

"Well, of course I don't want any of you to get hurt, but if you had been
injured it would have been good practice for me," replied Alice. "Come
on, Jennie."

Alice, who had a desire to become a trained nurse, for which profession
she believed she was fitting herself by reading a book on
"First-Aid-To-The-Injured," walked off with her girl chum, leaving the
boys to stare after the pair.

"Alice would rather play nurse than eat her meals," commented Bart. "I
wonder why Jennie didn't say something about poetry?" he added, for
Jennie was of rather a romantic disposition, and was very much given to
reciting verses.

"Probably the presence of Stumpy made her bashful," suggested Ned. "But
I'm going. See you Monday, fellows."

The four boys resumed their walk toward their homes. With the exception
of Frank Roscoe they all lived near one another. Frank resided about a
mile out of the town, with his uncle, Abner Dent, a wealthy farmer.

The four boys, because of their close association, were known as the
"Darewell Chums."

Darewell was located on the Still river, not far from Lake Erie. The
lads had played together ever since they attended primary school, and
their friendship was further cemented when they went to the High School.