“Well, you haven’t got to believe it, Billy,” answered Tom.  “At the same time, you’ll be a fine specimen of a college boy if you come back next Fall minus an arm and a leg.  How on earth are you going to any of the fashionable dances in that condition?” And at this, there was a general snicker, in the midst of which William Philander arose, caught up his dresssuit case, and fled to another car.

“You can bet that will hold William Philander for awhile,” remarked Sam.  “He won’t dare to put as much as a toe in the water at Atlantic City until he is dead sure it is safe.”

“Humph!  William Philander isn’t one of the kind to go into the water,” sniped Tom.  “He belongs to the crowd that get into fancy bathing costumes, and then parades up and down on the sand, just to be admired.”

It was not long before the Junction was reached, and here the Rovers had to part from a number of their friends.  A fifteen-minute wait, and then their train came along.  It was not more than half full, so the students had all the room they desired.

“I must say, the farm will look pretty good to me,” remarked Tom, when the time came for them to collect their belongings.

“I want to see dad,” returned his younger brother.

“Oh, so do I.”

“Oak Run!  All out for Oak Run!” It was the well-known cry of the brakeman as the train rolled into the station where the Rovers were to alight.

“Good-bye, everybody!” sang out both Sam and Tom, and, baggage in hand, they hurried to the station platform.  Then the train went on its way, leaving them behind.

The boys had sent a message ahead, stating when they would arrive, and, consequently, Jack Ness, the hired man, was on hand with the family touring car.

“Back safe and sound, eh?  Glad to see yer!” cried the hired man, as they approached, and he touched his cap.

“And we are glad to be back, Jack,” returned Tom, and added quickly:  “How is my father?”

“Oh, he’s doin’ as well as can be expected, Mr. Tom.  The doctors say he has got to keep quiet.  Your Aunt Martha said to warn both of you not to excite him.”

“Is he in bed?” questioned Sam.

“Not exactly.  He sits up in his easy chair.  He can’t do much walkin’ around.”

While talking, the boys had thrown their belongings into the car.  Tom took the wheel, with Sam beside him, leaving the hired man to get in among the baggage.  Then away they rolled, over the little bridge that spanned the river and connected the railroad station with the village of Dexter’s Corners.  Then, with a swerve that sent Jack Ness up against the side of the car, they struck into the country road leading to Valley Brook Farm, their home.

“Looks good, doesn’t it?” remarked Sam, as they rolled along, past well-kept farms and through a pleasant stretch of woodland.

“Yes, it looks good and is good,” returned Tom, with satisfaction.  “The college and the city are all right enough, Sam, but I don’t go back on dear old Valley Brook!”