[CHAPTER IV]
THE CLUB HOLDS A SHORT SESSION
Although only mid-February, the sun was far too warm for Bob’s Chicago blizzard clothes. His mother decided to buy him part of his summer outfit at once. It didn’t take long to lay in a new stiff hat for evening wear, a cap for knocking about in, a light rough coat and trousers and a pair of waterproof outing shoes. The water sogged garments were left at a clothing store, to be sent to the boarding house later, and when Bob reappeared on the street, he felt comfortable for the first time in three days.
“Why were you so particular about those shoes?” asked his mother, as they boarded a street car.
“Particular?” repeated Bob. “They’re just the thing for the boat club—if I’m elected.”
“The boat club?” gasped his mother. “You don’t think that I’ll consent to that now—after what happened this morning?”
“Of course,” answered Bob, with a smile. “That’s just why you will. You saw that I could take care of myself.”
But his mother shook her head. “I suppose any boat the club has will be like the little thing we ran down. I can’t let you join—not now. I’ll be thinking all the time about the narrow escape that boy had.”
“I don’t know that they’ll take me,” explained Bob.
“Why not?” asked his mother indignantly.
“Boys don’t give reasons,” answered Bob. “If they don’t like you, they don’t—that’s all.”