The idea did not get into the boy’s head. He rose unsteadily and said, “When are yuh goin’ up?” meaning “When am I going to get my promised drink?”
“But you are really going to get a yacht, Walter,” Jerry told him. “Mother said so, this morning.”
Jerry had been astonished at the intelligence Walter had exhibited in his story of the two skippers. The kind, somewhat grim Walter she used to know had appeared fleetingly on his face. She began for the first time to have hope that this disgrace upon the family would disappear. She, too, had to change her opinion of persons; the value of Richard’s plan for the regeneration of this youngster began to appear.
Walter sat down, frankly disturbed.
“She s-said so, did she?” he asked incredulously.
“Yes!” Jerry cried enthusiastically. “Richard got her to promise. How soon can we get one?”
Nervousness seized him. He turned to speak, but stuttered and stopped.
“They’re made in Wisconsin, aren’t they?” she asked.
He nodded.
“We’ll telegraph,” Richard suggested. “Perhaps they have some already built.”