[Gutenberg 34394] • The Boy Scouts of Bob's Hill / A Sequel to 'The Bob's Hill Braves'

Excerpt: ...other side of your mouth, I guess." She saw that he was mad about it. "You mustn't mind my laughing," said she, stuffing her handkerchief into her mouth. "I can't help it. It's a disease." "A disease?" "Yes, it's high strikes. When folks have them they can't stop laughing. They laugh when they ought to cry, maybe." "Sounds like a ball game," said Skinny. "It's something like that," she told him. "Maybe that isn't it exactly but it's something. I'm better now." "Oh, well, if it's something that ails you, I suppose it's all right. I'd laugh, too, only I am all out of breath from chasing the cow." When he said that the girl burst out laughing again, and Skinny laughed with her. That made them feel acquainted. "I guess I've got 'em, too," said he. "They must be catching. Well, I must be going now." "My name is Mary Richmond," she told him 156, "I live in Holyoke and I am visiting over where you see that red barn." "Mine is Gabriel Miller. I don't like the name very well. Gabe isn't so bad. The boys call me Skinny. I live down in the village and I am on a hike. I guess I'd better be going now." "I don't see any." "Any what?" "What you said you were on, a hike." "You will see one in about a minute. I am out for a long walk. I belong to the Boy Scouts and I've got to walk seven miles, camp out to-night, and come back to-morrow." "My," said she, "you must be hungry