Can you fellows
guess why I've taken the day off from school and why I'm going
to Wilburville?"
"We surely can't," declared Dave.
"Well, then, I'll tell you," promised Tom amiably. "I knew you
two good old chaps would be going to pieces with blue funk to-day.
I knew you'd be chattering inside, and turning all sorts of colors
outside. You'd try to cheer each other, but each of you is too
badly scared to be of any use to the other. So I've come along
to take up your minds, jolly you and stiffen your backbones alternately.
That's my whole job for to-day."
Looking in some amazement at Reade, the other two chums realized
that good old Tom was telling the truth.
"Of course, I'll admit," continued Reade, "that, if I were going
on the grill to-day, I'd be worse than either of you. But I'm
not. I wouldn't live in West Point, and I wouldn't be caught
dead at Annapolis, so I shan't have any scares or any nervous
streak to-day. I'll look after you both, the best I can, and
do what little lies in my power to keep your minds off your troubles."
"Well, who'd ever have thought of a thing like that but Tom Reade?"
gasped Dick gratefully.
"It's mighty good of you, old chum," declared Darrin fervently.
"Now, then,"`resumed Reade, uncrossing his legs, "as I'm on the
job to look after you, allow me to remind you that that is your
train whistling at this moment."
Three very jolly boys, therefore, piled out of the station building
and boarded the train.
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