“Not much on skees, are you?” commented Hedges, presently, glancing quizzically at his companion.
Seabury flushed a little. “I wish you wouldn't,” he protested. “If you had any idea how scared I was, and—and—Why, the whole thing was just pure luck.”
Hedges snorted. “Bosh! You go tell that to your grandmother. There's one thing,” he added; “as soon as I'm around again, you've got to come out and give me some points. I thought I was fairly decent on skees, but I guess after all I'm pretty punk.”
“I'll show you anything I can, of course,” agreed Seabury, readily. He paused an instant and then went on hesitatingly: “I—I'm going to do a lot more of that sort of thing from now on. It—it was simply disgusting the way I got winded so soon and all tired out.”
“Sure,” nodded Hedges, promptly. “That's what I've always said. You ought to take more exercise and not mope around by yourself so much. But we'll fix that up all right from now on.” He paused. “Aren't you going to read some more in 'Treasure Island'?” he asked expectantly. “That's some book, believe me! What with you and that and everything, I'm not going to mind being laid up at all.”
Seabury made no comment, but as he reached for the book and found their place, the corners of his mouth curved with the beginnings of a contented, happy smile.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS
- What is the character of Bill Hedges?
- What is the character of “Plug” Seabury?
- Why are both boys at the school in vacation time?
- What had been the past life of each boy?
- What had been their feeling for each other?
- What change does the story make in their feeling for each other?
- How does the author make the story seem probable?
- Show how the author leads to the climax of the story.
- Divide the story into its most important incidents.
- Show that the author is consistent in character presentation.
- How does the author make the climax powerful in effect?
- What makes the conclusion effective?
- What use does the author make of conversation?
- What is the proportion of description and explanation in the story?
- What are the good characteristics of the story?
SUBJECTS FOR WRITTEN IMITATION
| 1. A Summer Adventure | 11. The Fire in School |
| 2. At Easter Time | 12. An Unexpected Hero |
| 3. The Swimming Match | 13. Tony's Brother |
| 4. A Cross Country Adventure | 14. Skating on the River |
| 5. The Lost Books | 15. The Bicycle Meet |
| 6. The School Bully | 16. At the Sea Shore |
| 7. The Hiding Place | 17. The Trip to the Woods |
| 8. An Excursion | 18. The Surprise of the Day |
| 9. The Little Freshman | 19. The Best Batter |
| 10. Our Election Day | 20. How We Found a Captain |