The hero’s acceptance of this invitation was a little disconcerting, but it did not dim his glory. On the contrary (so far as his own efforts were concerned) it increased his glory. He wrote:
Dear Aunt Sophia and Prudence and that Committee too:
I got that animal first aid badge so now I have ten badges only I didn’t get it yet but anyway, I’m a star scout. You have to have a general knowledge of farm animals and I know a lot about them and I was kicked by a cow and she spilled the milk. I like milk too. I know what’s good for colic and you have to know that and it’s good for a horse. I don’t mean colic.
Once when I was drowning some kittens I saved two so that was a kind act to those two and that counts. It counts one point. I fixed a tin can that was tied to a dog’s tail because it was tied too tight. I know all about the different knots, too. Once I grabbed a bat because I thought it was a dish rag hanging up. I bet most girls wouldn’t be kind to mice especially rats.
If a horse falls down you have to take off his harness and the thing that goes kind of alongside his neck comes off like suspenders. Anyway I like a belt better on account of wearing my belt axe. Gee whiz I like girls and every kind of animals, only they’re scared when they get in a rowboat.
I read that story about Black Beauty that your badge is named after. I like elephants better. If you have a parrot you better not swear because he learns it. Scouts have to cut birds up in sections so as to tell the different parts of them. I’m going to wear that Black Beauty badge alongside my star badge. I’m going to go on the train that gets there in time for supper.
With love,
WALTER HARRIS
First Aid
Physical Development
Personal Health
Public Health
Life Saving
Astronomy
Swimming
Forestry
Dairying
Animal First Aid that makes ten.
P. S. I don’t mean you have to cut birds up alive only in pictures.
Aunt Sophia put on her spectacles and scrutinized this letter curiously, but in the end her eyes dwelt fondly on the words at the end of the list of badges. Pee-wee always thus summarized his glories, even in school examination papers. She gazed at the words Animal First Aid and was reassured.
As for Sympathea Softe and Katherine Kindheart and Dorothy Docile, they were greatly edified by the imposing list of Pee-wee’s triumphs.
“Physical Development,” said Dorothy, in whispered admiration; “I just bet he’s tall and dark, with a splendid chest. One can be big and gentle at the same time.”
“Of course,” said Sympathea, “look at elephants; they’re as gentle as can be.”
“Oh, I hope he isn’t like an elephant,” said Dorothy; “they’re so clumsy. And they just eat, eat, all day. They just live on peanuts.”
“I pictured him as tall and lithe,” said Miss Katherine Kindheart; “like a—like a tree. I think that one familiar with forestry is almost sure to be tall. The swimming award too! Oh, I just long to see him. I think that forestry is such perfectly scrumptious word too. Forestry! It sort of reminds me of Daniel Boone and Buffalo Bill—calm and stately; you know what I mean.”
“Or General Pershing,” said Sympathea.
“Or Eugene O’Brien,” said Dorothy, who was something of a movie fan.