“Well, keep at it. We’ll have you on second next year, all right. How did you get along with exams to-day?”
“Fair, I guess. How about you?” Alf made a face.
“Bad. I couldn’t remember a thing they’d ever taught me in math this morning. Still, I answered five out of nine, and that’s something. Oh, I’ll pass all right, I guess.”
“I did better than that,” laughed Dan, “but I don’t know how many answers were correct. By the way, Gerald, I sat next to your friend Thompson at exams this morning. I think he wanted to ask after your health, only Old Tige kept too close a watch on us.”
Gerald paused in his battle and looked across with a smile.
“If he ever does ask after my health,” he responded, “you just tell him that I’m feeling strong and willing.”
“Good boy!” laughed Alf. “It’s remarkable, though, isn’t it, the way Gerald’s bloodthirstiness has waned? A couple of months or so ago he couldn’t wait to engage Thompson in mortal combat. And now that I’ve taught him how to fight he just sits around and plays chess with questionable characters.”
“You do love a scrap, Alf, don’t you?” asked Dan with a smile. Alf nodded.
“Pretty well, thanks. My trouble is that I can’t find any one to scrap with I can’t lick with both eyes shut.” He looked slyly at Tom. Tom grunted without raising his eyes from the chess board.