Eddie
glanced at the folder in his hand.
"I always did like the water," he said.
"Sure," agreed the hairy man, heartily. "What young feller
don't? I'll tell you what. Come on over to the office with me and
I'll show you some real stuff."
"It's my supper time," hesitated Eddie. "I guess I'd better
not----"
"Oh, supper," laughed the man. "You come on and have supper
with me, kid."
Eddie's pink cheeks went three shades pinker. "Gee! That'd
be great. But my mother--that is--she----"
The man in the sailor suit laughed again--a laugh with a sting
in it. "A great big feller like you ain't tied to your ma's apron
strings are you?"
"Not much I'm not!" retorted Eddie. "I'll telephone her when
I get to your hotel, that's what I'll do."
But they were such fascinating things, those new booklets, and
the man had such marvelous tales to tell, that Eddie forgot trifles
like supper and waiting mothers. There were pictures taken on
board ship, showing frolics, and ball games, and minstrel shows and
glee clubs, and the men at mess, and each sailor sleeping snug as
a bug in his hammock. There were other pictures showing foreign
scenes and strange ports. Eddie's tea grew cold, and his apple pie
and cheese lay untasted on his plate.
"Now me," said the recruiting officer, "I'm a married man.
Pages:
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191