“A girl?” said Jack, a blank look on his face. “Was it a girl? I don’t recall—I’ve tried. I want to help you—”
“Of course you do,” declared Mr. Gray, “and you will. As soon as it comes to you clearly—and it will!—you can tell us. Now, go and lie down and have your afternoon siesta.”
“Siesta!” Jack said. “On cushions! In good clo’es! With my stomach full! And yesterday I laid under a palm tree and roasted and sweat and starved.”
Bill rose to show him where he could take his nap.
“I want to remember!” said Jack, rather pitifully and huskily. “I don’t know what it may mean for you—but you’ve been decent and more than I deserve——”
“Oh, no,” Tom declared. “You’d do as much for us, if it was the other way ’round.”
“I hope so,” agreed Jack. “Anyhow, I’ll try to think——”
“Now I’ve done it!” said Nicky ruefully, when Jack was out of hearing.
“Maybe not,” said Tom. “You didn’t remember what Mr. Gray said about being positive—and you denied what he said and shook his confidence, but he’s trying, and he will succeed.”
“Everybody succeeds if they keep trying on a certain line,” Cliff stated, and then they waited—but not long. Suddenly Jack came on his shaky legs, almost babbling in his excitement.