“What is it, Benny? You don’t seem to be as happy as I had expected?”
“Happy, Mr. Bradford! Fluffy and I are so happy that we don’t dare to make much noise for fear we’ll wake up and find it’s all been a dream. No dog and boy in this world ever had it so nice as Fluffy an’ I, and it makes us almost frightened for fear we shan’t do enough to keep the crew glad all the time ’cause we’re here.”
“We’re not afraid that you won’t do enough, No. 8,” Tom Downey said gravely. “The greatest trouble is that you may try to do too much. We are the ones who should fear lest we fail in giving you all the chances other boys enjoy. We count on seein’ that you have a good education, and then if it so happens that you believe the life-saving service is good enough for you, we’ll be satisfied; but we’re countin’ on your makin’ such a mark in the world as will puff us all up with pride.”
Benny made no attempt to reply; he did not dare trust his voice, and at such a time tears would have shamed him; but he put Fluff on the floor, ordering him to “stand up,” and the two remained erect for several seconds, silently giving thanks for the great kindness and loving tenderness displayed toward these homeless ones.
*****
It would be a pleasing task to depict Benny as he advances through life, winning the praise and admiration of those around him for the sterling qualities displayed; but as yet he has not made very much progress in carving for himself a name.
He is now at school, and Fluff remains at the station, happy all the time, but particularly so from Friday night until Monday morning, when his young master “comes home” to the station.
No. 8’s teachers report that he is a studious, well-behaved boy, and both Sam Hardy and Joe Cushing declare whenever the subject is brought up, that if he so desires, Benny shall “get all the schoolin’ that’s to be had for money.”
Yes, he received the medal of honor for life-saving, when his successful work on the night the crew were taken from the stranded steamer had been properly represented at headquarters, and every Sunday he and Fluff wear their decorations, much to the satisfaction of their guardians, the men of the Life-Saving Service.