“Thank you, sir,” answered the boy gratefully. “I’ll write to you to-morrow afternoon if I don’t come back.”
[As a matter of fact, Jerry didn’t come back. He stayed at St. Alfred’s, and never regretted it for a moment. But all this has nothing to do with the present story.]
After dinner the boys completed their tour of inspection, and then made ready to depart. Dan had been looking pretty downhearted, and when the time came to take leave of Barry he didn’t feel much better. They shook hands with Mr. Osgood, were cordially invited to come again, and then turned to Jerry.
“Good-by, Jerry,” said Bob. “Don’t get discouraged if the work seems hard at first. It’s going to be a tussle, but you can do it.”
“That’s so,” said Tom, shaking hands. “Just you bu-bu-bu-buckle down to it, Jerry. Remember we’re bu-bu-back of you!”
“Good-by,” said Dan. “And good luck.”
“Good-by, Signor Danello,” answered Jerry with a shy effort at pleasantry. “I—I’m sorry about—the dog.”
Dan nodded and moved away.
“I’ll write to you now and then,” said Nelson, “and tell you about things at school—our school, Jerry—so you can keep your courage up. And you’ll write to me, won’t you?”
“Yes,” Jerry replied eagerly. “Only—I ain’t a very good writer, Nelson.”