Camp boys, was
introduced to Sparrer, and jollied Pat on what he was pleased to term
his "New York airs."

"I reckon your mother is waiting for you, Pat," said he. "I saw a light
over at the house when I came along. You're welcome to stay here until
daylight, but I expect she's looking for you over there."

"I wrote her we'd be there to breakfast, but not to get up any earlier
on that account," replied Pat. His eyes danced. "Shure the ould lady
thinks her son has been in the hands av the inimy and cannot rest aisy
'til she sees for herself that not a hair av his red head has been left
in Noo'Yor-r-k. God bless her. We'll go over there and relieve her
mind."

In speaking of his mother as the "ould lady" there was nothing
disrespectful on the part of Pat. In reality it was a term of
endearment. The stars were beginning to pale as the boys made their way
in single file along a narrow path through the snow toward the yellow
gleam of a light set in the window of one of the rough frame houses that
made up the village. Pat led straight for this.

"Hello!" exclaimed Upton in surprise. "Have you deserted the old cabin?"

"Sure," replied Pat, and there was just a suggestion of pride in his
voice. "The mother was a long time between log walls, but now, the
saints be praised, she do be living in one of the illigant mansions of
Upper Chain, and by that token is a member of the aristocracy. Moved in
last fall."

By this time they had reached the house and at the sound of voices the
door was thrown open and Mrs. Malone stood in the doorway looking out
eagerly. It was a warm Irish greeting that the boys received and Hal,
who never had met her before, understood where Pat got his humor and
ready tongue. He at once dropped into his old brogue entirely and while
Mrs. Malone bustled about putting a hot breakfast on the table Pat told
her of his adventures in the great city as only he could. From time to
time she interrupted with comments so like Pat's own ready repartee that
between the two the boys were kept in a gale of laughter.

"Eating breakfast by lamplight is a new experience to me," declared Hal
as they sat down to bacon, corn bread just from the oven, flapjacks with
thick maple syrup, and coffee.

"'Tis pwhat yez will be doing every day for the next week, and lucky if
yez get the breakfast, as good a wan as this, anyway," declared Pat.

They had just finished the meal when Pat's younger brother and two
little sisters s