dy else wants to do.

"But we haven't decided," she reminded them suddenly, "just how we're
going to spend the rest of the afternoon. Of course we can always take a
walk--"

"Not after that lunch," declared Allen, striving to sit up, and sinking
down again with a moan, "I'm ten pounds heavier than when I came."

"Well, you ought to be ashamed to admit it," retorted Mollie. "I thought
in the army you had to be able to hike fifteen miles without winking."

"Sure. But this is our day off," objected Roy. "What do you suppose we get
leave for--just to do what we can do every day of our lives?"

"Well, then, for goodness sake, suggest something," cried Mollie
impatiently.

"I have an idea," cried Allen, so suddenly that they all started.

"Well, you needn't be so proud of it."

"Do you remember that pond we came across the day we went prospecting
alone, Frank?" he continued, not noticing the interruption.

"Yes," Frank answered, catching the idea and looking interested. "Seems to
me it ought to be somewhere in this neighborhood. Going to catch some
fish?"

"Why, of course," put in Roy scornfully. "We're so attractive all we have
to do is to whistle to the little animals to have them squabbling for the
best place on the hook."

"My, isn't he the sarcastic boy," grinned Allen. "That little trick might
work with you, Roy, but we're more modest."

"Well, have you got any fishing tackle?" queried Roy patiently.

"Sure," it was Frank's turn to be sarcastic. "Don't you know that's a part
of every dough boy's outfit--so he can go fishing for the Huns?"

"Peace, peace, my children," entreated Betty plaintively. "Can't we ever
talk about anything without getting into an argument?"

"But this isn't an argument; it's a suggestion," said Allen. "Though I
expect the scorn and ridicule of an unthinking populace. Perhaps you have
heard of the old-fashioned, but sometimes effective, string and bent pin?"

The boys shouted, and Allen bent upon them a pitying glance.

"It is even as I expected," he said sorrowfully. "Well, I have done my
best--"

"I say old man," Roy interrupted suddenly, proving an unexpected ally,
"I'm for you. Of course we won't get anything, but it will be an
adventure. And gee, some fresh fish would taste good!"

So they went to work, eager as children on a lark. The girls managed to
furnish enough pins for the hooks, and when the available string gave out,
the boys made use of stout, withy vines as s