Part 11 (1/2)
”Don't believe so.”
”Wish he did. We could have jolly times together.”
”I'm going out to learn how to sail a s.h.i.+p, not to have fun,”
replied Bob, with an air of lofty virtue. He had said nothing about this voyage being a sort of discipline as punishment for his prank.
He did not think that necessary.
”When are you goin'?”
”Next week.” And then the two boys fell to discussing the trip in all its aspects. Soon other boys joined Bob and Ted, but the perpetrator of the glue-joke was the center of attraction.
In fact, Bob was regarded as a sort of village hero. There was more interest manifested in geography at school the following week than ever before. Everybody knew, without telling, where Cape Horn was, and as for the Straits of Magellan, they could have pointed them out in the dark.
The prospect of the trip, too, had a certain effect on Bob. His mind was so filled with the thought of it, that he actually forgot about planning any jokes. Nor would he take part in any with the other village boys.
”Let's go down past old Mary Bounder's house and throw stones at the door. Then she'll come out and chase us and one of us can go in and get her pet cat and tie a can to its tail,” proposed Ted the following Monday. Mary Bounder was a curious old woman, who lived all alone in a cabin near the woods, and was the mark for many a joke on the part of the boys.
”Nope,” said Bob firmly.
”What's the matter? Sick?” asked Ted in surprise.
”No, but I've got to do some studying.”
”Studying? Why, there's only a little more school.”
”I don't mean that kind of studying. I'm learning the different parts of a s.h.i.+p, so I'll know 'em when I get to sea.”
Ted had momentarily forgotten about Bob's voyage.
”That's so,” he said. ”You'll be going away soon. Say, we ought to have some fun before you go.”
”Guess I've played enough jokes for a while.”
”But we ought to have one more. Come down to Mary Bounder's. Sam Shoop will go. He'll catch the cat.”
”Nope. I'm going home. I got a new book on sea terms, and I want to look at it.”
”All right. Then Sam and I'll go. You'll wish you'd come. We'll have some fun.”
But Bob could not be persuaded. His mother and father noticed the change in him, and they were delighted.
”I believe we made no mistake when we consented to the captain's plan,” said Mr. Henderson.
”If it will only last,” added his wife.
That day a letter came from Captain Spark saying he would be detained a few days longer and would not reach Moreville until Wednesday.
”The s.h.i.+p will sail the following Sat.u.r.day,” he stated in his note.