There was no lingering on the platform, however; for Ham and his wife were as anxious to get at the "surprise" they were told was waiting for them, as their friends were to have them come to it.
Before they were half way home, the growing light ahead of them attracted their attention; and then they began to hear the vigorous shouts of "Fire!" from the throats of the two boys, re-enforced now by Mr.Foster himself, and the lawyer's voice was an uncommonly good one.
Dabney was driving the ponies, and they had to go pretty fast for the rest of that short run.
"Surprise ?" exclaimed Ham.

"I should say it was! Did you light it before you started, Dabney ?" "Don't joke, Hamilton," remarked Mrs.Kinzer.

"It may be a very serious affair for all of us.

But I can't understand how in all the world that barn should have caught fire." "Guess it was set a-going," said Dab..