“Your friends certainly look swell,” said Frank, after a bit, to Mr. Mackworth. “They’re dolled up like a weddin’.”
“Rather good taste, don’t you think?” answered Frank’s uncle with his peculiar smile.
“O, I don’t like to see grown up men fixed so fancy,” answered Frank. “But I guess they ain’t got much else to do.”
“You don’t object to my costume, do you?” went on Mr. Mackworth with the same smile.
“You look pretty comfortable and cool,” answered Phil as both boys looked over their older companion who was wearing a Panama hat, a white silk negligee shirt and lightweight suit with belt and tan shoes.
“And lazy,” went on Mr. Mackworth, his smile unchanged. Then his smile faded and he gave each boy a straight look. “Young men,” he said slowly, “the men before you who are so carefully dressed are not ‘dolls’ and each has considerable ‘else to do.’ They have seen fit to make themselves comfortable in certain clothing as you boys have seen fit to do the same thing in your own way. But you may be sure than neither of them would have commented on that loose button on your shirt, Frank, or that spot on your collar, Phil.”
“Why I didn’t mean anything, uncle,” broke in Frank instantly.
“We think they’re fine gentlemen,” added Phil guiltily.
Mr. Mackworth held up his hands and the little smile came back.
“And you both think they are what we used to call ‘dudes,’ young gentlemen. That’s because you have a great deal to learn. I’m glad to be taking you on your first trip. When you come back I hope you’ll have begun to size up a man by his head and not by his clothes.”