“Thanks. It’s mighty nice of you.”
“That’s perfectly okey. And don’t forget we have a swimming match scheduled for a week from today.”
“Sure, I know.”
The boys shook hands and parted. Paul walked over to the bench where his team-mates were. The boys surrounded him, looking for guidance. William posed the question that bothered them all. “What are we going to do about Wallace, Paul?”
“I really don’t know. There’s nothing we can do right now, I guess.”
Jack spoke up. “I suggest that we all go home, wash up and have supper. In the meanwhile we’ll relax and be able to think clearly. Let’s all try and imagine what may have happened to him. At seven o’clock we’ll all meet again and try to formulate some plan of action.”
“Yes, but what am I going to tell my mother if she asks me about Wallace?”
Everyone was silent, not knowing what to say. They were all pretty well downcast. Jack again spoke up, saying, “Tell her he’s staying for supper at my home.” A pause. Silence. Every mind with the same thought. He added. “It’s not the truth but you’re justified. I’m sure he’ll turn up very soon.”
The boys stirred in their tracks. There was nothing more to say and they all walked off the field.