Part 18 (2/2)
”He didn't do it,” Pee-wee said stoutly ”Do you think I don't know? I don't care what--he didn't do it He likes us an--and--I--I like him--I--”
”Don't, Kid, please don't,” said Roy
”Didn't I say ere going to have two desserts that day I stalked a hop-toad up at Teht?” Pee-wee persisted ”So there I can always tell And if a fellow saved my life I wouldn't let anybody say he was a murderer, I wouldn't”
”You're a little brick, Kid,” said Roy
”A scout has got to be loyal, hasn't he?” Pee-wee shouted ”Let's hear you deny that You can bet your life I wouldn't have anyCompany or anybody else If you say he killed anybody, _he didn't;_ that's all I say A scout has tuition”
”You hed
”I don't care about signs or anything,” Pee-wee stoutly protested; ”and I don't care for detectives either Do you think I can't tell adifferent, can't it? I can prove it by the movies”
Warde Hollister stepped up to him and slapped his shoulder ”You're one bully little scout, Kid,” he said Warde see loyalty
”Soain--”
”I agree with rees with lad of,” Westy said, ”and that is that soets the money; let them have all the credit, too We had our fun while it lasted,” he added wistfully ”And I'e I' to do with the bad side of it It seems now just as if a friend had died, that's all”
”I kind of hope he does die,” Grove Bronson said
”Just after being a hero,” Connie added
This was too ht poor Blythe's heroism and his own rescue ho about the old faet ready,” he finally said ”Let's get away from here”
They could not share Pee-wee's staunch conviction; they doubted whether Pee-wee really did agree with himself in this matter But they admired him none the less for that
Disconsolately they set about clearing up and gathering their belongings It seee that one so quiet and unobtrusive as poor Blythe could be so keenlybut pathetic rerocery box he sat on at camp-fire, the box in which he put old nails; above all, the windmill where he had suffered that inexplicable brainstore friend, he could not regain any measure of his former spirits, nor even put a brave front to the disappointment as the others did He limped about, silent and crestfallen
In the eboro, a cheerless group Before going out between the old gateposts they turned for a last gli adventure Only a few uprights of one shack remained The accident had done the work of a day in ten seconds There was the charred area where their aunt tower of the wind suggestive of life in the desolated caet the money for our work, maybe,” Westy said
”We don't want any et back to our old car down by the river We don't want any rewards and we don't want any pay and we don't want anyhere”
”It seems kind of like a dream now,” Artie said
”You never can tell how some dreams will come out,” said Pee-wee ”Once I had a dream that I was a murderer and when I woke up I found I wasn't awe like about you,” said Roy with a poor atte spirit
”What's that?” Pee-wee asked