"That's no good of a reason."

"Well, then, because you're going to be a second-hand scout."

"You mean second-_class_," Skinny said; "that's no good of a reason,
either."

"Well, I guess I'm not much good on reasons. I'd never win the reason
badge, hey?"

"Do you know who is the smartest fellow in this camp?" Skinny asked,
jumping from one thing to another in his erratic fashion. "Tom Slade. He
knows everything. I like him but I like you better. He promised to clap
when I go on the platform, too. Will you ask your troop to clap?"

"I'm afraid they don't care anything about doing me a favor, Alf. Maybe
they won't feel like clapping. But your troop will clap."

"Pee-wee Harris, he's in my troop; he said he'd shout."

"Good night!" Hervey laughed. "What more do you want?"




CHAPTER XVIII

THE DAY BEFORE