Chapter XX. A Sweet Memory

NowthelovelyJunedayshadcome,everythingbegantolookreallysummer-likeschoolwouldsoonbeover,andtheyoungpeoplewerejoyfullypreparingforthelongvacation. “WeareallgoinguptoBethlehem.Wetaketheseashoreoneyearandthemountainsthenext.Bettercomealong,”saidGus,astheboyslayonthegrassafterbeatingtheLincolnsatoneofthefirstmatchesoftheseason. “Can'tweareofftoPebblyBeachthesecondweekinJuly.Ourinvalidsneedseaair.Thatonelooksdelicate,doesn'the?”askedFrank,givingJackaslightrapwithhisbatasthatyounggentlemanlayinhisusualattitudeadmiringthebluehoseandrussetshoeswhichadornedhissturdylimbs. “Stopthat,Captain!Youneedn'ttalkaboutinvalids,whenyouknowmothersaysyouarenottolookatabookforamonthbecauseyouhavestudiedyourselfthinandheadachy.I'mallright”andJackgavehimselfasoundingslaponthechest,whereshonethewhitestaroftheH.B.B.C. “Hearthelittlecockerelcrow!youjustwaittillyougetintothecollegeclass,andseeifyoudon'thavetostudylikefun,”saidGus,withunruffledcomposure,forhewasgoingtoHarvardnextyear,andfelthimselfalreadyaSenior. “NevershallIdon'twantanyofyouroldcolleges.I'mgoingintobusinessassoonasIcan.EdsaysImaybehisbook-keeper,ifIamreadywhenhestartsforhimself.Thatismuchjollierthangrindingawayforfouryears,andthenhavingtogrindeversomanymoreataprofession,”saidJack,examiningwithinterestthevariousknocksandbruiseswithwhichmuchball-playinghadadornedhishands. “Muchyouknowaboutit.Justaswellyoudon'tmeantotry,foritwouldtakeamightylongpullandstrongpulltogetyouin.Businesswouldsuityoubetter,andyouandEdwouldmakeacapitalpartnership.Devlin,Minot,&Co.soundswell,hey,Gus?” “Very,buttheyaresuchgood-naturedchaps,they'dnevergetrich.Bytheway,Edcamehomeatnoonto-daysick.Imethim,andhelookedregularlyknockedup,”answeredGus,inasobertone. “Itoldhimhe'dbetternotgodownMonday,forhewasn'twellSaturday,andcouldn'tcometosingSundayevening,youremember.Imustgorightroundandseewhatthematteris”andJackjumpedup,withananxiousface. “Lethimalonetillto-morrow.Hewon'twantanyonefussingoverhimnow.Wearegoingforapullcomealongandsteer,”saidFrank,forthesunsetpromisedtobefine,andtheboyslikedabriskrowintheirnewlypaintedboat,the“Rhodora.” “Goaheadandgetready,I'lljustcutroundandaskatthedoor.Itwillseemkind,andImustknowhowEdis.Won'tbelong”andJackwasoffathisbestpace. Theotherswerewaitingimpatientlywhenhecamebackwithslowerstepsandamoreanxiousface. “Howistheoldfellow?”calledFrankfromtheboat,whileGusstoodleaningonanoarinanauticalattitude. “Prettysick.Hadthedoctor.Mayhaveafever.Ididn'tgoin,butEdsenthislove,andwantedtoknowwhobeat,”answeredJack,steppingtohisplace,gladtorestandcoolhimself. “Guesshe'llbeallrightinadayortwo”andGuspushedoff,leavingallcarebehind. “Hopehewon'thavetyphoid—that'snojoke,Itellyou,”saidFrank,whoknewallaboutit,anddidnotcaretorepeattheexperience. “He'sworkedtoohard.He'ssofaithfulhedoesmorethanhisshare,andgetstiredout.Motheraskedhimtocomedownandseeuswhenhehashisvacationwearegoingtohavehigholdtimesfishingandboating.Upordown?”askedJack,astheyglidedoutintotheriver. Guslookedbothways,andseeinganotherboatwithaglimpseofredinitjustgoingroundthebend,answered,withdecision,“Up,ofcourse.Don'twealwayspulltothebridge?” “Notwhenthegirlsaregoingdown,”laughedJack,whohadrecognizedJuliet'sscarletboating-suitasheglancedoverhisshoul