A grim smile curled the corners of Professor Zepplin's lips. He was rather sensitive on the subject of timidity so far as his young friends were concerned.
"Major, I fear you do not know my boys."
"How so, Professor?"
"They are unafraid. They are afraid of nothing. My life would be much easier were they a little less so."
"Fine! Chivalrous, too, eh?"
"Indeed, yes," nodded the Professor.
"Yes, I have saved the lives of lots of folks," declared Stacy pompously.
"Do tell us about it," urged Miss Clowney.
"I couldn't think of it. I'm too modest to brag about myself."
In the meantime Tad Butler, the Professor and Major Clowney had become absorbed in the subject of big game, which the three were discussing learnedly. The hosts were amused at Stacy Brown, but they were irresistibly drawn to Tad, both because of his sunny disposition and the lad's keen mind, so unusual for one of his age.