Hervey began making rings in the soil with his stick but said nothing. Mr. Denny's last words were perhaps a little more than he expected, but he gave no other hint of his feelings.
And so for another minute or so there was silence, except for the distant voices of some scouts out upon the lake.
"It is not exactly as a punishment, Hervey; it is just that I can't take the responsibility, that's all. You see?"
"Y—— yes, sir."
"I thought you would. Your father thought the influence of camp would be good, but you see you are seldom at camp. We can't help you because we can't find you."
"You can't cook a fish till you catch it," said Hervey.
"That's just it, Hervey."
"If you don't want to leave any tracks the best thing is to swing into trees every now and then," Hervey informed him.
"Ah, I see. Now, Hervey, my boy, I'm anxious that you and I should understand each other. You have done nothing disgraceful and I don't think you ever will——"
"I landed plunk on my head once."