Then to the boy old Adelbert poured out the bitterness of his soul. He showed where he had torn down the King’s picture, and replaced it with one of a dying stag. He reviewed his days in the hospital, and the hardships through which he had passed, to come to this. The King had forgotten his brave men.
Bobby listened. “Pretty soon there won’t be any kings,” he observed. “My father says so. They’re out of date.”
“Aye,” said old Adelbert.
“It would be kind of nice if you had a president. Then, if he acted up, you could put him out.”
“Aye,” said old Adelbert again.
During the rest of the day Bobby considered. No less a matter than the sharing of a certain secret occupied his mind. Now; half the pleasure of a secret is sharing it, naturally, but it should be with the right person. And his old playfellow was changed. Bobby, reflecting, wondered whether old Adelbert would really care to join his pirate crew, consisting of Tucker and himself. On the next day, however, he put the matter to the test, having resolved that old Adelbert needed distraction and cheering.
“You know,” he said, talking through the window of the booth, “I think when I grow up I’ll be a pirate.”
“There be worse trades,” said old Adelbert, whose hand was now against every man.
“And hide treasure,” Bobby went on. “In a—in a cave, you know. Did you ever read ‘Treasure Island’?”
“I may have forgotten it. I have read many things.”