ers!"

"The what?" said Van, bursting into a loud laugh.

"The Bunglers," said Joel with a red face. "That's what you said they
were, anyway," he added positively.

"I said Burglars," said Van, doubling up with amusement, while Joel
stood, a little sturdy figure, regarding him with anything but a sweet
countenance.

"Well anyway, I'd a-caught 'em, so there!" he said, as Van at last
showed signs of coming out of his fit of laughter, and got up and wiped
his eyes.

"How'd you have caught 'em?" asked Van, scornfully surveying the square
little country figure before him. "You can't hit any.

"Can't?" said Joel, the black eyes flashing volumes, and coming up in
front of Van. "You better believe I can, Van Whitney!"

"Come out in the back yard and try then," said Van hospitably, perfectly
delighted at the prospect, and flying alone towards the door. "Come
right out and try."

"All right!" said Joel, following sturdily, equally delighted to show
his skill.

"There," said Van, taking off his jacket, and flinging it on the grass,
while Joel immediately followed suit with his little homespun one.
"Now we can begin perfectly splendid! I won't hit hard," he added
patronizingly, as both boys stood ready.

"Hit as hard as you've a-mind to," said Joel, "I'm a-going to."

"Oh, you may," said Van politely, "because you're company. All
right--now!"

So at it they went. Before very many minutes were over, Van relinquished
all ideas of treating his company with extra consideration, and was
only thinking how he could possibly hold his own with the valiant little
country lad. Oh, if he could only be called to his lessons--anything
that would summon him into the house! Just then a window above their
heads was suddenly thrown up, and his mamma's voice in natural surprise
and distress called quickly: "Children what are you doing? Oh, Van, how
could you!"

Both contestants turned around suddenly. Joel looked up steadily. "We're
a-hitting, ma'am; he said I couldn't, and so we came out and--"

"Oh, Vanny," said Mrs. Whitney reproachfully, "to treat a little guest
in this way!"

"I wanted to," said Joel cheerfully; "twas great fun. Let's begin again,
Van!"

"We mustn't," said Van, readily giving up the charming prospect, and
beginning to edge quickly towards the house. "Mamma wouldn't like it you
know. He hits splendidly, mamma," he added generously, looking up. "He
does really."

"And so does Van," cried Joel, his face glow