“What?”
“Yes, mother, that’s exactly what he said.”
“Why did he say that?”
“You can search me! Dan is as obstinate as a pig in a garden. He’s the most unreasonable fellow I know anywhere.”
“I’m sure you did your part. It was noble of you to want to help Dan to obtain an education. I said that to your father——”
“What did father say when you told him?” broke in Walter.
“He laughed, and all he said was Dan had fifteen hit-outs in the game.”
“Strike-outs, I guess you mean, mother.”
“Is there any difference between a strike and a hit? I should think they meant pretty much the same thing. If you were to strike another boy you’d be hitting him, wouldn’t you?”
“I might strike at him without hitting him.”