CHAPTER I INTRODUCING THE ROVER BOYS Hurrah, Sam, it is settled at last that we are to go to boarding school! Are you certain, Tom? Dont let me raise any false hopes. Yes, I am certain, for I heard Uncle Randolph tell Aunt Martha that he wouldnt keep us in the house another week. He said he would rather put up with the Central Park menagerie-think of that! and Tom Rover began to laugh. Thats rather rough on us, but I dont know but what we deserve it, answered Sam Rover, Toms younger brother. We have been giving it pretty strong lately, with playing tricks on Sarah the cook, Jack the hired man, and Uncle Randolphs pet dog Alexander. But then we had to do something-or go into a dry rot. Life in the country is all well enough, but its mighty slow for me. I guess it is slow for anybody brought up in New York, Sam. Why, the first week I spent here I thought the stillness would kill me. I couldnt actually go to sleep because it was so quiet. I wish uncle and aunt would move to the city. They have money enough. Aunt Martha likes to be quiet, and uncle is too much wrapped up in the art of scientific farming, as he calls it. Ill wager hell stay on this farm experimenting and writing works on agriculture until he dies. Well, its a good enough way to do, I suppose, but it wouldnt suit me. I want to see something of life-as father did. So do I. Perhaps well see something when we get to boarding school. Where are we to go? I dont know. Some strict institution, you can be sure of that. Uncle Randolph told aunty it was time the three of us were taken in hand. He said Dick wasnt so bad, but you and I- Were the bother of his life, eh? Something about like that. He doesnt see any fun in tricks. He expects us to just walk around the farm, or study, and, above all things, keep quiet, so that his scientific investigations are not disturbed. Why doesnt he let us go out riding, or boating on the river, or down to the village to play baseball with the rest of the fellows? A real live American boy cant be still all the time, and he ought to know it, and, with a decided shake of his curly head, Tom Rover took a baseball from his pocket and began to throw it up against the side of the farmhouse, catching it each time as it came down. Tom had thrown the ball up just four times when a pair of blinds to an upper window flew open with a crash, and the head of a stern-looking elderly gentleman appeared. The gentleman had gray hair, very much tumbled, and wore big spectacles. Hi! hi! boys, what does this mean? came in a high-pitched voice. What are you hammering on the house for, when I am just in the midst of a deep problem concerning the rotation of crops on a hillside with northern exposure? Excuse me, Uncle Randolph, I didnt think to disturb you, answered Tom meekly. Ill put the ball away. You never stop to think, Thomas. Give me that ball. Oh, let me keep it, Uncle Randolph! I wont throw it against the house again, honor bright. Youll forget that promise in ten minutes, Thomas; I know you well....