“Took what?”

“Something for a service.”

“I—­I couldn’t help myself,” said Tom.

For answer Roy gave him a shove and laughed outright. “So your Uncle Dudley was right and you broke the scout law after all—­ya-a-ah-a!”

They walked a little way in silence.

“Well, anyway,” Roy said, “you can say you tossed it back, can’t you?”

“’Twasn’t her ball.”

“It was much better than a ball.”

“How do you know what I took and what I tossed back?”

“A scout is observant,” said Roy.