"How are you feeling, kid?" 'Lish Davis asked solicitously.
"All right."
"Little fidgety about to-morrow's work?"
"I'm hopin' I won't make a fool of myself, of course."
"You needn't worry. Josh Fernald says you'll make as good a showing as any one there, and he knows. The only chance of your failing will come from borrowing too much trouble. Remember what you said to yourself the night the baby was saved: 'A clear head is the next best thing to a ladder,' and there mustn't be any cobwebs in yours. Don't pay attention to the crowd, but keep in mind that you're only going through the drill, so's the commissioners can see whether you're ripe for an appointment."
"What are you counting on wearing?" Jerry Walters asked in a peculiar tone.
"What I've got on, of course, seem' 's it's all the decent clothes I own, an' they belong to you of Ninety-four. I'm countin' on cleanin' 'em up in great shape, an' folks can't see where they've been mended. Miss Hanson fixed the coat so you wouldn't know the sleeve ever had a hole in it."
"I'm allowing the others will shine terrible bright."
"They've all got new uniforms, an' are bound to look mighty fine."
"You don't seem to be sulking on account of having to wear old togs," 'Lish Davis said with a peculiar twinkle in his eyes.