“Yes, they’re back,” said Mrs. Martin, “and Pee-wee was here last evening and talked steadily for two hours. He told me to tell you to come to scout meeting to-morrow and vote——” “Vote? What for?”
“I don’t know, it’s something about an award,” said Westy’s mother. “The Rotary Club has offered some kind of an award for scouts, that’s all I know. He told me to tell you to be sure to come and vote. He said it’s a special meeting at Roy’s house and they’re going to have refreshments.”
“They won’t have any when he gets through,” said Westy wistfully.
“I’m so glad,” said his mother, rising, “that you can plunge right into your scout work and forget all about this dreadful summer. At the seashore we were very much disappointed, the gnats were terrible. I’m glad we’re all home and that it’s over. Doris did nothing but dance and she’s lost eight pounds instead of gaining.”
“All right, mom,” said Westy, letting his mother kiss him good night. “I’m glad I’m home too; I’ll be glad to see the troop. It makes me feel good just to hear you mention Pee-wee.”
“I’m sure he’ll cheer you up,” said Mrs. Martin. “I don’t know what to think about what he says— I’m sure he always tells the truth.”
“Oh, yes, but sometimes he stands on his head and tells it so it’s upside down,” laughed Westy; “that’s what Roy says.”
“He says that Warde Hollister found some sort of a job for a woman up near camp so that the woman won’t have to send her little child to the orphan asylum. He ran five miles through a swamp, Walter says. I hope to goodness he had his rubbers on.”
“Was it a boy or a girl—the child, I mean?” Westy asked.
“I’m sure I don’t know, but I think the father is in jail. Anyway, the boys want you to vote for Warde. Now will you promise me you’ll go to sleep?”
Westy promised, and kept his promise that time at all events. If he had known all there was to know about these matters perhaps he would not have fallen asleep so easily.
He did not have to wait until the following evening, for the next morning Pee-wee Harris (Raven and mascot) arrived like a thunder-storm and opened fire at once upon Westy.
“Now you see what you get for going somewhere else and I’m glad I’m not sorry for you, but anyway I’m sorry you weren’t there because we had more fun at Temple Camp this summer than ever before and we’re going to have the biggest hero scout in our troop and his picture is going to be ............