“That’s the way to talk, kid,” said Hodge encouragingly. “‘Never say die.’ You’re learning to be something more than mamma’s nice little boy. The Tait School will make a man of you yet.” Then turning to Walter he added, “Go on with your merry tale.”
“I didn’t know at first,” resumed Walter, “but that he was going to do me as he did Carlton, he was so nearly beside himself. When I told him I was done with him he was worse than ever. He said that was just like me, I’d be like the fellows I was with last and that Hodge and Ned and Dan had set me up to it.” Walter steadily held to his story, though Dan at least was aware of the effort it cost the impulsive boy to relate what Gus had said. “He said,” continued Walter, “that he wasn’t going to see even the doctor, he was just going to leave, and the sooner he could get out the better it would be for everybody.”
“I guess he was wise,” laughed Hodge. “I’m glad he’s gone.”
“I did my best to calm him down,” said Walter, “for I knew he’d be sorry by to-morrow. He wouldn’t listen to a word I said, though, and now that he has really left I don’t feel sorry. I’m sorry I let him make such a fool of me as he did. I can see it all now.”
“Walter,” said Ned more seriously, “did it ever occur to you that Gus Kiggins might have a successor?”
“I don’t know what you mean,” replied Walter, his face flushing as he spoke. “Who will be his successor? What kind will he be?”
“I’m not going to preach to you, Walter, for I don’t know how, but I’m telling you that a fellow is always ‘up against’ some such proposition. If it isn’t Gus Kiggins, then it’s some other chap that can do his work.”
“And you think when Gus’s ‘successor,’ as you call him, comes along that I’ll be following him just the way I did Gus?”
“I didn’t say that.”