The Rover Boys at Colby Hall | Page 3

selfish, you know. He can
have more than his share if he wants it."
"You'll take your own thrashings--I don't want 'em," broke in his cousin
Fred quickly.
"Jack," cried Dick Rover, turning to his son, "turn that water off at
once."
"I don't know where to turn it off. I didn't turn it on," answered Jack
Rover, the oldest of the four boys who had been fooling.

"I'll turn it off and fix it so they can't turn it on ag'in," came from old
Jack Ness, and away hobbled the man of all work.
"I think it's a shame for you boys to drench old Ness and Aleck," was
Sam Rover's sober comment. "Both of them might catch cold or get
rheumatism."
"We didn't start to do anything like that, Dad," answered Fred Rover.
"We were going to have a little fight between ourselves, playing rival
firemen. We aimed the water at the hedge, and we didn't see Ness and
Aleck until they let out a yell."
"But I saw two of you playing the water in that direction," cried Dick
Rover. "You were one of them, Jack."
"Oh, well, Dad, what was the harm after they were all wet?" pleaded
his son. "They'd have to change their clothing anyway."
"That's just it," added Andy Rover quickly, with his eyes twinkling
from merriment. "A little more water won't hurt a person when he's
already soaked. It's just like spoiling a rotten egg--it can't be done," and
at this reply, both Dick Rover and his brother, the fun-loving Tom, had
to turn away their faces to hide their amusement. Nevertheless, Dick
sobered his face almost instantly as he answered:
"Well, these pranks around the farm have got to stop. You'll have your
grandfather and Uncle Randolph and Aunt Martha all upset, not to say
anything about your sisters and your mothers. It's a fortunate thing that
they went down to the town to do some shopping. Otherwise I think all
of you would be in for quite some punishment."
"Oh! Then you're not going to punish us, are you?" broke in Randy
Rover quickly. "That's fine! I knew you wouldn't mind our having a
little fun."
"Don't be so fast, young man," returned his father. "Your Uncle Dick
may be too lenient. I am rather of the opinion that you and your brother,
if not your cousins, have got to be taken in hand."

"Oh, please, Massa Tom, don' go fo' to punish 'em," burst out old Aleck
Pop. "I--I don't s'pose dey meant any great ha'm, even do dey did t'row
dat stream of wattah right in dis yere coon's mouf;" and he smiled
broadly, showing a row of ivories, rather the worse for wear.
"I think all of you boys had better go into the house and get some dry
clothing on before your mothers put in an appearance," suggested Dick
Rover. "If they see you like this, all dripping wet, they'll certainly be
worried."
"All right, Dad; I'll do it," answered Jack, quickly. And then he
motioned to his cousins. "Come on, let's see how fast we can make the
change;" and off into the big farmhouse rushed the boys, clattering up
the back stairs one after the other, to the two big rooms which they
occupied.
"Some boys!" was Sam Rover's comment, as he shook his head
doubtfully.
"They are certainly growing older--and wilder," returned Dick Rover.
"We've got to take them in hand--that is dead certain!" said Tom Rover,
with conviction. "Why! if I don't do something with Andy and Randy
pretty soon, they'll be as--as----"
"As bad as you were, Tom, at their age," finished Dick Rover, with a
smile.
"Now you've said something, Dick," affirmed Sam Rover. "Andy isn't
quite so bad when it comes to playing tricks, although he certainly says
some awfully funny things, but when it comes to doing things Randy
continually puts me in mind of Tom."
"Oh, say! To hear you fellows talk, you'd think that I was the worst boy
that ever lived," grumbled Tom Rover. "What did I ever do to raise
such a rumpus as this?"
"Phew! What did he ever do to raise such a rumpus as this?" mocked

Sam Rover. "Well, what didn't he do? When father went to Africa and
disappeared and we came down here to good old Valley Brook Farm,
wasn't he the constant torment of Uncle Randolph and Aunt Martha,
and the hired girl, and all the rest of the community until, in sheer
despair, uncle had to send us off to Putnam Hall? And when we went to
the Hall, who was the first one to get into trouble--exploding a giant
firecracker on the campus? Answer me that, will you?"
"Ancient history," murmured Tom Rover, dryly. But then, of a sudden