Paul was right. The Major was a tall, stocky man of about forty and almost bald. He smiled to them and said, “Hello fellows. I’m Major McCarthy. Is there anything I can do for you?”
Jack said, “We came over to look around, if you have no objections, Major.”
The Major smiled warmly. “Oh, none whatsoever. You’re welcome.”
Paul said, “My name is Paul—Paul Morrison.”
“And your dad is Dr. Morrison?”
“That’s right. How did you know?”
“Well, there’s only one Dr. Morrison in Stanhope. Glad to meet you, Paul.”
The two shook hands. Jack said, “I’m Jack Stormways.”
“Glad to know you,” the major said and they shook hands.
For a few seconds there ensued an embarrassed silence. Neither Jack nor Paul could think of anything to say and Major McCarthy was waiting for them to ask questions. Finally the major said, “Suppose you boys lean your bicycles against the wall and I’ll show you around. There isn’t much doing now and I have some time on my hands.”