“When I stepped into my room, Benjy had managed to get the trunk closed, for I had heard the lid bang down. He was going around looking up at the walls in the most innocent way possible, and as soon as I came in he asked me if I would mind lending him my old tennis racquet for a little while.”
“Well, perhaps he wanted to have a game with some of the fellows over on the courts,” explained Hugh. “I noticed that several sets were on this afternoon for the first time this season. You were always a crackerjack at tennis, Tom, and it may run in the blood with all the Sherwoods.”
“That’s just where the trouble comes in, Hugh. Benjy never cared a red cent for playing, though I often wanted him to take a hand. No, I’m afraid that was just a sudden idea that flashed into his head, so that I wouldn’t think it strange that I should find him prowling in my room. Besides, he was as red as a beet when he asked me that simple question, and mother would never have thought he looked pale and sick if she had only seen him then.”
“You didn’t say anything to him, of course, Tom?”
“If you mean accuse him in any way, Hugh, certainly not,” came the ready answer. “To tell you the truth, my heart was just too full and too sore to think of scolding, or anything like that. I stepped over to where my old racquet stood behind the door, for I meant to have it restrung this spring, as it was getting in poor shape at the close of last season; and I handed it to Benjy, trying to look natural, too. I’m afraid, though, he must have seen something queer in my face, for I noticed he gave me a quick stare just as he took the racquet and hurried off, with muttered thanks.”
Hugh pondered over the matter. He hardly knew what to say. It might be a very innocent thing, on the part of Benjy. Again, there was a chance that the worst Tom feared might be only too true.
Hugh did not like the new boy in town, Park Norris. He had too much spending money for his own good, and it was said that his influence was not of the best upon several fellows who seemed to be fascinated by his manner and ways.
“I’ll tell you what, Tom,” the scout master presently remarked seriously, “leave this matter with me, and I promise you I’ll take it up very soon. I’ll try and learn how much Benjy is under the influence of Park Norris, and then find out if I can’t win his confidence. I seem to have a pretty good knack that way; at least, fellows tell me so, and I glory in it, too.”
“Oh, I’m sure that if only you could get Benjy to promise to break off with the set he’s been running with, Hugh, it would come out all right. It’s the cigarette and card habit I’m most afraid of. He’s such a lovable boy, you know, and I guess he is more easily led than I. So Park Norris has managed to get a grip on him. I don’t know of a single fellow who could win him back to his old way of living as well as you.”
“I give you my promise, Tom, remember, and I think I have the reputation of always keeping my word. I’ll do everything I can to make Benjy see that he’s on the wrong track. Will that satisfy you, old fellow?”