“Safety first, sir!” he said. “You know I’ve had that lesson taught me mighty thoroughly.”
Mr. Parker studied his son closely for a moment.
“So? Well, I’m glad to hear the instruction hasn’t been wasted.... But, tell me! Find life robbed of a little of its spice, eh?”
Sam paused for thought before he answered; the question was not one he could dispose of lightly, especially when it had been put by his father. There was a very good understanding between father and son, but it had not been arrived at without some grievous experiences for the youth. On that account he prized it the more, and desired to maintain it.
“Sometimes it does seem as if a fellow missed some fun, sir. I don’t know, though—mostly, afterward, I can figure out that everybody is better off because the thing wasn’t done—the thing that seemed to promise sport, I mean.”
“But there are other things that promise sport, and supply it, and harm nobody, aren’t there?”
“Oh, yes.”
“And you’re beginning to discriminate?”
Sam wriggled; he was by no means over-impressed with his own sagacity.
“Why—why, I try to discriminate—that’s the very secret of our Safety First idea, isn’t it? Of course, I make bulls—mistakes, I mean—a lot of them.”