`` Why , Dan , what 's taking you there ? You surely ai n't thinking of trying for that place , are you ? Walters would n't look at you . Why , he would n't take me ! You have n't the ghost of a chance . '' `` No , I 'm not going for that . Sam , did you know that Mr. Walters had a notice in the Lake Advertiser that nobody could fish in his pond this summer ? '' `` Course I did -- the old skinflint ! He 's too mean to live , that 's what . He never goes near the pond himself . Regular dog in the manger , he is . Dad says -- '' `` Sam , why did n't you tell me about that notice ? '' `` Gracious , did n't you know ? I s ` posed everybody did , and here I 've been taking you for the cutest chap this side of sunset -- fishing away up in that creek where no one could see you , and cutting home through the woods on the sly . You do n't mean to tell me you never saw that notice ? '' `` No , I did n't . Do you think I 'd have gone near the pond if I had ? I never saw it till today , and I 'm going straight to Mr. Walters now to tell him about it . '' Sam French stopped short in the dusty road and stared at Dan in undisguised amazement . `` Dan Phillips , '' he ejaculated , `` have you plum gone out of your mind ?
Boy alive , you need n't be afraid XXXXX I 'd peach on you .
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