Paul cried, “Sure. And we can hardly wait.”
Jack said, “And our parents gave us permission, too.”
The major smiled cheerfully. “I don’t see any reason for them to object,” he said, “but then some parents object thinking that it’s dangerous when it isn’t at all.”
The boys agreed with him. Nuthin’ cried, “You fellows don’t know how lucky you are. I’d give a right arm to be in your place.”
William offered higher stakes. He said, “I’d give a right arm and a right leg to change places with either of you two.”
Major McCarthy grinned. “Maybe I’ll take you boys up on that,” he said. “I can always use a couple of right arms.”
William jumped high in the air and whooped. “Say, do you mean that?” he demanded.
“I’m not saying a thing,” the major replied. “We’ll just wait and see.”
He went into the office and returned a few minutes later. “Already to go up?” he asked. They answered eagerly that they were and he said, “Then let’s go.”