“Sure I’m all right,” Joe said. “Wow—some good time, too! You’ll have to stay up all night hearing about it. I’ll be back soon, and get your lunch.”
“Forget that,” said Tom. “I’ve got it already. I’m a bum cook, though—haven’t had a decent meal since you left. I’ll wait for you. Nobody in camp just now, but some due to-night.”
Joe rode on to the hotel, helped unpack, and said good-bye to all the party. It was hard, too, for after those seven days on the trail and in camp, even though he was only the camp cook and they were congressmen and congressmen’s families, he felt as if they were all old friends.
Mr. Elkins drew him to one side a little. “I know you’re working your way out here,” said he, “and we’d all like to help you, Joe, for you’ve been a fine cook for us, and we’ve all been like a jolly family together. I don’t suppose you’d let me make you a little present, would you, to show how grateful we are?”
Joe turned red. “Oh, no, sir,” he answered. “Scouts never take tips, and that would be a tip, wouldn’t it, sir, really? I get paid by Mr. Mills, or the saddle company. Why, I’ve had more fun being with you all than you’ve had, I guess!”
Mr. Elkins put a hand on Joe’s shoulder. “That’s the talk I like to hear,” he said. “You’ve made me realize what the Boy Scouts are after, Joe, and if you ever come to Washington, and want to see how Congress works, you let me know, and you and I’ll do the town!”
Every one shook hands with him then, even Mrs. Jones, who, now the hotel was in sight again, was as cheerful as a cricket.
“I just love roughing it—now it’s all over,” she laughed.
But Bob was not to be seen. Joe looked around for him, and wondered where he could be. He shook hands with Lucy last of all. She was sweeter and prettier than ever as she smiled at him.
“Not good-bye—au revoir,” said she. “You’re going to swap snap shots with us, and write me how you are, and what you see in the Park after we’re gone, and some day you’ll come to Washington, won’t you?”