Atherton drew himself erect.
"No, thank you, sir," he said firmly but politely. "I cannot take the money."
"Cannot take the money!" repeated Sir Silas, hardly able to credit his sense of hearing. "Why not?"
"I am a Scout, sir, and a Scout is not allowed to receive any reward for doing a good turn."
"A Scout! Bless my soul, so you are!" exclaimed the Baronet, as his eyes noticed for the first time the lad's knotted handkerchief showing above his buttoned-up blazer, and his bare knees. "I am afraid I am not in sympathy with the Scout movement," he added bluntly.
"We have recently formed a troop as a kind of experiment," explained the Rev. Septimus, apologetically. "But I must admit, Sir Silas, that I have had no reason up to the present to regret my decision in granting Scouts to be enrolled from my pupils."
"Atherton's refusal to take a small present surprises me," said the Baronet. "Is that rule strictly adhered to?"
"I know very little about the rules and regulations of Scoutcraft," replied the Head. "Perhaps Atherton can answer your question."
"Well, is it?" asked Sir Silas abruptly. "Yes, sir," replied the Scout, rather relieved to find that the conversation had turned into a channel that was more to his liking than being the object of embarrassing congratulations.
"H'm. The upkeep of the movement costs money, I suppose. How do you manage? I always thought Scouts cadged to meet their expenses."