Page 31 - A Little Bush Maid

"All the ponies ready at five, Billy," ordered Jim. "Yours too. We’re going
to make a day of it--and we’ll want bait. Now, you chaps, come along and

get lines and hooks ready!"

"Whirr-r-r!"

The alarm clock by Jim’s bedside shrieked suddenly in the first hint of

daylight, and Jim sprang from his pillow with the alertness of a
Jack-in-the-box, and grabbed the clock, to stop its further eloquence. He sat
down on the edge of his bed, and yawned tremendously. At the other side

of the room Harry slept peacefully. Nearer Wally’s black eyes twinkled for
a moment, and hurriedly closed, apparently in deep slumber. He snored

softly.

"Fraud!" said Jim, with emphasis. He seized his pillow, and hurled it

vigorously. Tt caught Wally on the face and stayed there, and beneath its
shelter the victim still snored on serenely.

Jim rose with deliberation and, seizing the bedclothes, gave a judicious
pull, which ended in Wally’s suddenly finding himself on the floor. He

clasped wildly at the blankets, but they were dragged from his reluctant
grasp. Jim’s toe stirred him gently and at length he rose.

"Beast!" he said miserably. "What on earth’s the good of getting up at this
hour?"

"Got to make an early start," replied his host. "Come and stir up old Harry."

Harry was noted as a sleeper. Pillows hurled on top of him were as nought.
The bedclothes were removed, but he turned on his side and slumbered like

a little child.

"And to think," Wally said, "that that chap springs up madly when the
getting-up bell rings once at school!"