“I apologize to you, Willetts, and whatever else you are, you are not a liar. I advise you to go to your quarters and turn in now and get some sleep. I’m glad you aroused me. In the morning you are going to make a fresh start, Willetts, and show what kind of a scout you can be.”
It was mighty nice, the way Mr. Arnoldson said it. Gee whiz, he couldn’t have been nicer. He wasn’t mad at all on account of the things Hervey had shouted. He just kind of admitted that Hervey was in the right the way he came and everything. And all the scouts were saying that was some stunt how he had saved Tripler’s life. Jiminetty, Hervey had everything going his way. That was just when he got me good and mad with his crazy, reckless ways. Why didn’t he shake hands with Mr. Arnoldson? Oh, no, he must start off without even saying a word to him. I felt awful sorry for Mr. Arnoldson. He didn’t even get mad at Hervey calling him a boob.
Hervey just said very grand like, “I just wanted this whole kindergarten to know that I’m no liar. Come ahead, Trip, let’s get out of here, I’m through with this outfit. They’re dead, and they haven’t got sense enough to lie down. I’m through with this camp for good and all. I was going to leave last week.”
“I understood you to say you would accept my apology, Willetts,” Mr. Arnoldson said to him, awful nice and patient, sort of.
Hervey said, “I do, but I’m through with this place. I was told to go and I’m going—that’s absolutely positive. I’ve had enough. I don’t belong here, I——”
Plunk! Just as he was starting off who should he bunk right into but Tom Slade.
“H’lo, Hervey,” said Tom. “What’s the matter now? Breaking up housekeeping?”
“Slady, I always liked you,” Hervey said; “but this bunch—I’m leaving to-night, Slady. So long.”
I guess Tom must have been there all the time. He just said, “Too bad, Hervey, I was just going to ask you to do a little favor for me—a good turn.”
“Nix on those,” Hervey said. “Come on, Trip.”