As we followed the cowpath across the fields we became aware of two figures sitting on a rail fence, and I waved my hand to Tom, who answered with a cheery greeting to us both. It was good to see him looking so hale and ruddy.
But it was in a kind of trance that I saw him lower himself from the fence to come and meet us. For a second I stood gaping, then grasped Roy’s arm in speechless amazement. For there before me, swinging his legs from the fence, was Archibald Archer!
Yes, it was none other than Archibald Archer as large as life, larger, in fact, with his freckled face lighted up so that he was just one enormous grin; Archibald Archer, home from the wars, and once more enthroned among his favorite apple trees which ere long must pay him their luscious tribute. His feet were quite bare, he wore trousers of gaudy bed tick with suspenders brazenly conspicuous, and a straw hat as big as a parachute.
“Well—I’m flabbergasted!” I managed to gasp as I took his proffered hand; “I knew your home was near Temple Camp, but I didn’t know how near.”
“I’m mustered out,” he informed me.
“I think I like you even better in your ancestral domains,” I said, shaking his hand with right good will, “and I congratulate you that you are back in your orchards once more. I might have known that it would take more than a world war to kill you. Tell me, how is the souvenir business?
“I got some mustarrd gas in a vinegarr jarr,” he said. “Want to see it?”
“Thank you,” I answered, “but I have had enough gas for one war. I think you are yourself quite enough of a souvenir for me. I shall not lose track of you again. Roy and I intend to put you where we can always have you handy.” And I winked at my young literary partner.
“I got a piece of wirre from a wirreless, too,” Archer persisted, as if his store was inexhaustible.
The doubtful nature of this last-mentioned memento gave me an uncomfortable feeling that I was being made fun of, so I retorted with severe sarcasm, “I do not care for that, but if you have a ring or two from the bell of Rheims Cathedral I might be willing to accept it.”