XVIII 
HOW THEY SPENT THEIR MONEY 
At two o’clock a procession of the pupils of Foxes 
Corners school filed through the hall at “the General’s,’’ 
wondering what new surprise was in store. The big boys, 
who would not begin school until the mid-winter term, had 
come under the strong persuasion of Tommy and Dave. 
They looked rather uneasy, however, as if they were not 
quite sure whether the performances that the younger 
boys considered “bully” might not be undignified for men 
of their age. 
As the children went through the garden, Jim Crow 
lurched out of a bush and walked along after them with 
an air of great importance, as if he were the master of 
ceremonies. Larry, the Starling, was not particularly 
fond of cold weather, and kept inside the shelter of the 
south porch, making little excursions here and there, 
prompted by curiosity, and the desire to use his wings, 
which were now quite strong, as food was to be had from 
the dish that he and Jim shared, merely for the eating. 
The lunch-counter was well patronized that afternoon, 
for, in addition to the birds that had been in the vicinity 
during the morning, several Bluebirds came, together 
with three Robins, who simply gorged themselves upon 
some dried currants that Goldilocks had put out as an 
extra dainty. Gray Lady was trying experiments with 
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