“You don’t like school, I take it?”
“Not very much. I’d rather be outdoors.”
“Schooling though, is a mighty useful thing,” Mr. Holloway continued. “It helps one get a better job and appreciate the good things of life.”
“The good things of life!” Jack repeated with a snort. “That’s a laugh!”
“You speak as if you’ve had a tough time.” Mr. Holloway deliberately was trying to draw the boy out.
“Oh, I ain’t complaining,” Jack returned. “I’ve learned to get along.”
“I can see that,” Mr. Holloway said dryly. “But you don’t seem too happy. This is the time of your life when you should be having a good time—playing football, ice skating, all the sports.”
A flash of interest illuminated Jack’s face. But it was gone in an instant, to be replaced by a look of suspicion.
“Say, what you handing me?” he demanded. “And who are all these kids?”
“Cub Scouts,” explained Dan. At the other’s blank expression, he explained: “It’s an organization for boys who aren’t quite old enough to be Boy Scouts. We have a lot of fun while we’re doing helpful things.”