“Laura also said they were all well at Crumville except Professor Potts, who is beginning to show his age,” went on the senator’s son. “She wrote me quite a lot about some entertainments they had been getting up for the benefit of some local charities which have been suffering because of the Red Cross and the Y. M. C. A. activities. I suppose a good many folks think because they give so much to the war organizations, they can’t afford to give much for local charities, although local charities have to be kept up just the same.”
And then Roger began to talk about charities in general and from that branched off to other subjects, including the war and the probable movements of the engineers. It was evident to Dave and Phil that he was holding something back, but what it was neither of them could imagine. Dave hoped with all his heart that no quarrel had arisen between his sister and the chum he loved so well.
“Roger has got something on his mind—that’s sure,” remarked Phil a little later, when he and Dave were by themselves.
“So it looks to me, Phil. I hope neither of his letters contained bad news.”
“If it was anything ordinary I think he would tell us about it,” continued the shipowner’s son thoughtfully. “It almost looks to me as if it might concern us as well as Roger.”
“Well, if he doesn’t want to mention it, Phil, I certainly am not going to ask him about it.”
“Certainly not—it wouldn’t be fair. He has a right to keep it a secret if he wants to.”
All through the evening, when the young engineers took themselves once again to the Y. M. C. A. hut, where a well-known vaudeville singer gave a short entertainment which was highly appreciated, Dave and Phil, as well as some of the others, noticed how preoccupied in mind Roger continued to be. He paid hardly any attention to the singing or the jokes which were told, and seemed to be glad when it was over and he could return to their quarters and go to bed.
“It must be something pretty serious,” whispered Phil to Dave, as they retired for the night.
The young corporal was quite surprised when, early in the morning, he found himself awakened by Roger, who had come over and touched him on the shoulder.