when we all gather home," said
Jessica.

"And yet Tom is on his first vacation from work, David and Reddy are
rising young business men, and Hippy is studying law," reminded Grace.

"Yes, but I don't like it," remarked a plaintive voice, as a fat face
appeared around the corner of the porch. "I want to be a brakeman."

It was impossible not to laugh at Hippy, and, encouraged by the
merriment, he cautiously climbed the steps of the porch and returned to
his precarious perch upon the railing.

"I want to be a brakeman,
And with the brakemen stay,
I'd ride upon the choo-choo cars
Through all the livelong day,"

he warbled, rocking backward and forward in time to his song.

"Why don't you go down to the railroad yard and put in your application,
then?" was Reddy's stolid advice. "If I intended to be a brakeman I
wouldn't study law."

"Alas! I am obliged to obey the wishes of my cruel parents," whined
Hippy. "I am seriously contemplating wrapping a few little things in a
handkerchief and leaving home forever. I remember once when I was very
young and unsophisticated I decided upon this step. I was deeply
incensed with Father because he had punished me for playing truant from
school. I went upstairs to my room and packed three neckties, a boxing
glove, two books, a baseball and a picture of myself in baseball clothes
in a suit case. I carried the bat, and as a last precaution I took a toy
pistol and my bank, which boasted of sixty-four cents. I started at
about eight o'clock in the evening and went as far as the summer house
at the lower end of our grounds. I sat down to rest, went to sleep and
woke up about two o'clock in the morning. Then I discovered that I was
afraid of the dark and didn't dare go even as far as the house. I crept
into the summer house and stayed there until morning; then I went home,
suit case and all. I managed to get into the house before any one else
was up, but I decided there were worse places than home. However, if the
brakeman aspiration proves too strong I may be obliged to leave home
again. After all, it may be my vocation."

"Hippy Wingate, when will you be sensible?" asked Nora O'Malley.

"Never, I am afraid. You see, my associations tend to make me foolish.
Birds of a feather, you know, and when one's intimate friends----" Hippy
paused. "You understand I don't like to say that you in particular are
responsible, but----"

"I'll never forgive you for that," decl