The Major, with a smile, disclaimed any feeling of anger.
“Tom,” remarked Willie, in a low tone, “that’s my last joke on you—honest. I don’t feel grouchy, like I used to. Let’s be good friends, eh?”
Tom instantly brightened up.
“Why, sure thing, Willie,” he said, cordially, extending his hand.
The Sloan-Clifton feud was at an end.
“Well, it certainly beats the dickens how things have turned out,” remarked Cranny. “Why, here is Willie, who was just sent out here to get livened up, an’——”
It wasn’t in the big lad’s nature to speak in a whisper. Major Carroll overheard.
“Yes,” he said, “Willie has livened up. I predict that some day he will surprise us.”
The boy glanced proudly toward Mr. Sharswood.
“I believe that if every young fellow could find out just what he is especially fitted for in life the percentage of failures would be much less,” said Major Carroll. “I hope you will pardon me, Mr. Beaumont, for making an observation; to my mind, this was the trouble with your ward—he did not find the work he was doing suited to his liking or talents.”