It was quite wonderful to see how Sonny Boy learned spelling and fractions. The tutor was surprised, and what the Poppleton schoolmistress would have thought no one can even guess! For Sonny Boy had been dull at his lessons.
And presently he straightened himself out in the most surprising way, and learned to drill soldiers like a major. He had a fine military company, in the “almost well” room of the children’s ward at the hospital. The officers sent word to Aunt Kate that he was a very welcome visitor and did the children great good.
He bought a drum and fife with the parrot money, and sent them to the Poppleton Guards, the company to which “the fellows didn’t want him to belong.” And he wrote a letter to the Guards, telling them about the military tactics that he had learned at the camp, where his uncle had taken him.
“How quickly you have learned!” said Aunt Kate one day. “You are the very brightest one of the Plummers.”
But Sonny Boy shook his head. “I never could learn until ’twas for another fellow,” he said.
“Anyway, you’re the dearest one of the Plummers!” said Aunt Kate, with a hug. By this time they were at Bolton for the summer, and they awoke one morning to find the place gay with show-bills and huge placards.
The “Wonder of the World” was coming to town. Among the attractions were the “Wild Man of Borneo,” fresh from his native jungles, and “The Monster Tuscarora,” the greatest buffalo in the world.
“‘HOW QUICKLY YOU HAVE LEARNED,’ SAID AUNT KATE.”