“He doesn’t seem to be weak, sir,” answered Dan. “He just needs filling out. He’s too thin.” Mr. Pennimore smiled. Gerald looked anxiously from one to the other.
“You think that life at Yardley Hall would fill him out, do you?” Mr. Pennimore asked.
“Yes, sir,” answered Dan stoutly. “I feel sure it would. A chap lives pretty regularly and gets the right sort of things to eat and has lots of good exercise. Don’t you think. I’m right, sir?”
“Bless us, you mustn’t ask me!” laughed Mr. Pennimore. “I’m not going to help you make out your case, Dan; I’m for the defense! But how about the rest of it? Do you think Gerald could stand the—the régime?”
Dan wasn’t quite certain about that word, but risked it and replied that he thought he could.
“But a boy is thrown on his own resources a good deal at boarding-school, isn’t he, Dan?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And do you think that Gerald could look out for himself? Think he could keep out of mischief, do you?”
“I don’t see why not, sir. Besides, he’s got to—”
“Well, go on,” prompted Mr. Pennimore as Dan stopped.