“Europe is nothing,” said Hervey. “I’m going to Montana.”
“Well, first you’re going to school,” laughed Mr. Walton.
“Pity the poor school,” said Hervey.
“Oh, not as bad as that,” his stepfather commented pleasantly. “I kind of think you’re going to be different this fall. Not get into any scrapes, huh? Study hard, stay in the Scouts, and not give your mother any worries. What do you say?”
“You know me, Al,” said Hervey, which reply was not altogether explicit or satisfactory. But it moved Mrs. Walton to embrace him again.
“And you’re going to stay in the Scouts, aren’t you?” she asked.
“Of course he is,” said Mr. Walton. “They weren’t all as lucky as you, Hervey, to be up at a fine camp all summer. I saw Bert Alston yesterday. He was asking when you were coming back. I told him we wouldn’t know till we saw you.”
“That’s me,” said Hervey. “I’ve got nothing against the Scouts.”
“Well then, I hope you’ll stay more among them,” said Mr. Walton. “They’re a good sort.”
“They don’t stay among me very much,” said Hervey. “What’s fair for one is fair for the other.”