“I’ve got a little touch of rheumatism,” said Connover.
“Yes?” said the scoutmaster. “What right have you got to have rheumatism? I thought John Temple had a controlling interest in all the rheumatism around here.”
“It gets me in the arm,” said Connover.
“So? That’s too bad. May I lift these books off the chair, Connie?”
“Surely—sit down. Just push them on the floor.”
“Regular Carnegie Library, eh? What are they all about, Con?”
Connover quite welcomed the interruption for Mr. Ellsworth’s offhand cordiality was nothing less than contagious. He fell immediately and completely into the spirit of whatever was on the boards.
“’Bout the Boy Scouts.”
“No—really?” said Mr. Ellsworth, running through one of the volumes amusedly. “Who’s this fellow, Dan Dreadnought?”
“He’s lieutenant of the Eureka Patrol.”