Jerome stretched out an arm and drew his familiar toward him. Billy twitched his short tail and curved a suspicious neck while his master stretched one glistening pinion.
“Do you want his whole wing?” inquired Jerome, groping for a knife.
“Not for the world!” exclaimed Miss Brooks. “Only one of dear Billy’s tiniest feathers, to put away and look at.”
Jerome plucked a quill and handed it to her.
“You may have him all, if you want him.”
“But what would you do without Billy?”
He repeated, “Do without?” several times, turning the suggestion in his mind, and gazing at her.
A couple of hours later Miss Brooks said to her brother:—
“Eric, I believe I will go home at once.”
“Guess not,” responded the captain. “We shift camp next week. I want you to stay until then. Aren’t you having a good time?”