CHAPTER IX
PREPARATIONS FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY
It was a great home-coming. As was to be expected, Aunt Martha had had the cook prepare a most elaborate supper, and, to this the lads did full justice. The long ride on the cars had tired them, yet they remained up long enough to tell about affairs at college, and learn what their father and their other relatives had to say.
"Say, this is like old times!" exclaimed Dick, as he entered his bedroom. "Looks as natural as it ever did."
"Anyt'ing I can do fo' yo' young gen'men?" asked a voice from the doorway, and Aleck Pop showed himself, his mouth on a grin from ear to ear. Indeed Aleck had not stopped grinning since the boys had appeared.
"Not that I know of, Aleck," answered Dick. "How have you been since we went away?"
"I ain't been well, sah," answered the colored
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