Upstairs, Doris was pouring out the story of the afternoon to Jack, who lay back on his pillow, grinning from ear to ear.
“I told you you could do it, Doris,” he said as Tommy and Bert came in. “Hi, Tommy,” he said.
“Doris, this is Bert Cramer,” Tommy said. “And this is my brother, Jack.”
Doris turned to face the boys. Her large dark eyes were shining with happiness and her cheeks were flushed. Bert looked at her as if he were seeing an angel. Suddenly he tore his gaze away and strode over to Jack’s cot.
“Hi, there, Jack,” Bert said. “Tommy’s told me a lot about you.”
“Bert won a scholarship, too, kids.”
“Jeepers! What talented company I have!” Jack cried. “And here I thought that Doris was just family. I guess I’ll have to be more polite to the genius in the future!”
“Jack, you’re a goose!” Doris said, hugging him. “And Bert, I think it’s wonderful that you won.”
“Thank you, Doris,” Bert said. “I’m just now beginning to realize how lucky I was to win.”
Doris looked at him. She saw his honest brown eyes looking straight into hers, and she blushed.