Then I had to shake hands all round, and listen to the remarks made, while Gentles evidently looked on, but with his eyes screwed tight.
“Say a—look at his arms, lads,” cried Stevens, who was as excited as everybody. “He hev growed a big un. Why, he bets the three mesters ’cross the showthers.”
Then Pannell started a cheer, and so much fuss was made over me that I was glad to take refuge in the office, feeling quite ashamed.
“Why, Cob, you had quite an ovation,” said Uncle Bob.
“Yes, just because I have grown as big as my big uncles,” I said in a half-vexed way.
“No,” said Uncle Dick, “not for that, my lad. The men remember you as being a stout-hearted plucky boy who was always ready to crush down his weakness, and fight in the cause of right.”
“And who always treated them in a straightforward manly way,” said Uncle Jack.
“What! Do you mean to say those men remember what I used to do?”
“Remember!” cried Uncle Bob; “why it is one of their staple talks about how you stood against the night birds who used to play us such cowards’ tricks. Why, Gentles remains Trappy Gentles to this day.”