Now we must apologize to them for presenting fashion plates." The explanation, as Dick presently furnished it to Laura Bentley, was a simple one.

Dick had been handling the funds of the six boys on this expedition, which had held out much longer than any of his chums had known.

At the time of accepting the invitation young Prescott had felt sure that an Ashbury clothier would be able to furnish proper clothes for his party, and his guess had proved a correct one.

Moreover, the treasury of Dick & Co.

had been easily able to endure the drain, for these white clothes had not been costly.
Mrs.Bentley presently joined the little Gridley group of young people on the veranda.