The next thing Hervey knew, Mr. Denny's arm was over his shoulder, while with his other hand he was shaking the hand of the young camp assistant.
"That's all right, Mr. Denny," said Tom.
"Slade, I want you to know how much I respect you——"
"It's all in the day's work, Mr. Denny."
"I want you to know that Hervey appreciates your friendship. You believe he——"
"I believe he's a wild Indian," Tom laughed. "Or maybe a squirrel, huh? Hey, Hervey? On account of climbing.... You know, Mr. Denny, those are the two things that can't be tamed, an Indian and a squirrel. You can tame a lion, but you can't tame a squirrel."
Mr. Denny listened, smiling, all the while patting Hervey's shoulder.
"Well, after all, who wants to tame a squirrel?" said he.
So these two lingered a few minutes to chat about lions and Indians and squirrels and things. And that was Hervey's chance to get away.