Hullo , Neddy ! The D.C. meets to-night , at Minot 's , seven sharp . Co-ed , & c. , '' added Gus , losing no time , as a third boy came briskly round the corner , with a little bag in his hand . `` I 'll come . Got home an hour earlier to-night , and thought I 'd look you up as I went by , '' responded Ed Devlin , as he took possession of the third post , with a glance toward the schoolhouse to see if a seal-skin cap , with a long , yellow braid depending therefrom , was anywhere in sight . `` Very good of you , I 'm sure , '' said Gus , ironically , not a bit deceived by this polite attention . `` The longest way round is sometimes the shortest way home , hey , Ed ? '' and Frank gave him a playful poke that nearly sent him off his perch . Then they all laughed at some joke of their own , and Gus added , `` No girls coming to hear us to-night . Do n't think it , my son . `` More 's the pity , '' and Ed shook his head regretfully over the downfall of his hopes . `` Ca n't help it ; the other fellows say they spoil the fun , so we have to give in , sometimes , for the sake of peace and quietness . Do n't mind having them a bit myself , '' said Frank , in such a tone of cheerful resignation that they laughed again , for the `` Triangle , '' as the three chums were called , always made merry music . `` We must have a game party next week . The girls like that , and so do I , '' candidly observed Gus , whose pleasant parlors were the scene of many such frolics . `` And so do your sisters and your cousins and your aunts , '' hummed Ed , for Gus was often called Admiral because he really did possess three sisters , two cousins , and four aunts , besides mother and grandmother , all living in the big house together . The boys promptly joined in the popular chorus , and other voices all about the yard took it up , for the `` Pinafore '' epidemic raged fearfully in Harmony Village that winter . `` How 's business ? '' asked Gus , when the song ended , for Ed had not returned to school in the autumn , but had gone into a store in the city . `` Dull ; things will look up toward spring , they say .
I get on well enough , but I miss you fellows dreadfully ; '' and XXXXX put a hand on the broad shoulder of each friend , as if he longed to be a school-boy again .
Ed Frank Hullo Minot Neddy Pinafore Village braid chums third