Life — October 21, 1926 — page 18: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“WENTWORTIL AND NED RAN HITHER AND THITHER.” The Harcourts of Kensington or, How the Roguish Ned Returned from the Surf-Side By Percy Crosby . OOD morrow,” greeted Ned; G “may I invite Wentworth to go wading in the brook with me? “Gracious! replied Mrs. Har- court. “You mean to go without foot apparel?” “I was about to suggest such a procedure,” Ned confessed. Mrs. Harcourt was troubled, for Ned had just returned from the sea- side. She secretly felt that his nurse had allowed him to wade at the surf-side with pail and shovel. Mother-like, she feared that he had rollicked and tossed sea shells into es on more than one occa- sion. Even so, Mrs. Harcourt could not help liking the fun-loving playmate, as did pussy tip-toes, but he, sly fellow, remained hiding. Now Ned was not a bad boy, gentle reader, but the roguish little fellow dearly loved a prank. At this point, Wentworth approached. “Ah, Ned, what wild are you suggesting to Mother “I did hope,” and Ned lowered his eyes, “I did hope that you might participate in a little adventure namely, to go wading in the brook. Wentworth paled at the daring suggestion; howe it must be con- fessed that the allusion to crime deepened his admiration for Ned. “What does Mother say?” asked Wentworth, aghast. adventure “I fear Mrs. Harcourt does not think well of the proposed pecca- dillo, do you, madam?” “T could never consent to having my child and his manly little play- mate wander to the brook without bootgear,” said = Mrs. | Harcourt. “Suppose Mr. Hollingsworth and Mr. Harcourt, on their return from the counting-house, should perchance witness the spectacle?” “Perish the illusion!” Ned. “Howev sobbed added Mrs. Harcourt, HARCOURT RETURNS FROM THE COUNTING-HOUSE. MR. “I do consentzto having you both romp in the orchard without your hats, but only for five minutes.” “Oh, jolly for Mother!” Wentworth, gleefully. hrice jolly!" reiterated Ned. Frisk, the meddlesome fellow, wagged his tail in approval, as much as to say, “Ah, there, what mischief is this afoot Excited beyond all measure, the boys repaired to Wentworth’s cham- ber in order to brush their stray locks, and then the fun-loving pair descended to the library. “Hurrah! Hurrah!” they cho- rused, as hand in hand they passed Mrs. Harcourt. “Bow! Wow!” barked Frisk. dog- like, as much as to say, “Ah, there, everybody.” Out in the orchard, Wentworth and Ned ran hither and _ thither, emitting shouts of merriment as they ran. Small wonder that Frisk was beside himself in an overflow of pure animal spirits. “Bow! Wow!” he barked. In sheer delight, he bounded the heels of the frolic- some boys, intent upon circli tree in the orchard. Knowing that uncompromising obedience was the watchword in the Harcourt household, the boys were fearful lest during the excitement they had overstayed their leave. Therefore, there was no delay in returning to the house. It was well, because Mrs. Harcourt had kept strict track of the time, and was re- lieved when they returned with fully twenty seconds to spare. “One—two—three,” called Ned, winking suspiciously. “Three cheers for Mrs. Harcourt! Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!" (This had been concocted in the orchard.) Mrs. Harcourt more than pected Ned; however, not to be out- done, she had also prepared a sur- prise. There, before their very eyes, cried y every sus- a pitcher of loganberry juice and two slices of angel cake had been placed. When toilets had been readjusted, you may rest assured little time was lost in disposing of the delicious repast. Tiring Your flower beds are 4 paradise, old man. OST: Parker: Garden of Weedin’, I call it. comicbooks.com