“Not so you’d notice it,” said the freckled boy with a surprised laugh.
“You don’t find many dead ones among the scouts, I guess,” said an officer, who had come down to confirm the rookies’ welcome.
“You said something,” said Roy.
“I remember you three fellows,” said the freckled scout. “Don’t you remember? I was in that store in Albany——”
“Sure, we got lost,” began Roy.
“Shhh,” interrupted Artie.
“We—we thought you were dead,” said Tom, startled somewhat out of his usual composure.
“Dead? No,” laughed the boy. “I haven’t been dead for quite a while. What’s the idea?”
“Have—have you got anything the matter with you?” stammered Pee-wee, staring blankly at him.
“I’ve got a wart on my left thumb,” said the freckled scout, “but that won’t stop me helping Uncle Sam if we have to scrap it out with Germany.”