"Why don't you track an angleworm some day?" I said.

He said, "What's the matter with you lately?"

"Nothing much," I told him.

"You don't hang out with the fellows at all," he said; "we're having a lot of thrilling adventures."

"Thrilling, hey?" I said; and I just had to laugh, because it was the same old Pee-wee with his hair's-breadth escapes and thrilling adventures, and all that stuff.

"Well," I said, "you want to be careful; it's pretty dangerous business stalking hop-toads."

"I came all the way from Catskill scout pace," he said.

I said, "Bully for you."

"I did it in fifty-two minutes," he said; "scout pace is my middle name. Are you worrying about anything?"

"I'm worrying because I don't get a letter, kid," I said; "if it doesn't come to-morrow—"