“This is almost like one of our old feasts at Oak Hall,” was Dave’s comment.
“Only we haven’t got Big Jim Murphy to watch us,” said Buster.
“Good-hearted Jim!” cried Dave. “He sure did do us many a good turn. I wonder where he is now?”
“Somebody told me he was in the heavy artillery, along with Luke Watson,” answered Shadow.
“Speaking of the old Oak Hall boys, what has become of Polly Vane?” queried Ben, referring to a youth of high intellectuality who, because of his girlish appearance, had been nicknamed Polly.
“Polly is at the head of one of the big government offices in Washington,” answered Roger. “I found that out through my dad, who chanced to meet him there one day while on business. Polly, he told me, is doing unusually well. It’s something connected with the war department, so you can say that he is really in the war, too, even though he isn’t on the firing-line.”
It was not until the next day, when Dave could catch Roger alone, that he told his chum of what Nat Poole had said concerning Lieutenant Max Gebauer. This brought on quite a talk, during which the senator’s son told of what Laura had written on the subject of the young lieutenant.
“I always wanted to say something about that to you, Dave,” said Roger; “but somehow I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I spoke to Phil about it, and we concluded that it would do no good to worry you. I am mighty glad that the matter is cleared up so far as you and Jessie are concerned, and I know that Phil will be mighty glad, too.”
“I understand your feelings perfectly, Roger. Just the same, I think you should have come to me in the first place. However, that is now a thing of the past. What worries me is what Nat Poole said about a rumor going around Crumville concerning Jessie and this lieutenant. If this gets to Jessie’s ears, it will certainly hurt her feelings terribly.”
“I don’t doubt that.”