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Updated: May 12, 2025
Big, husky, happy-go-lucky a poor student but a right jolly companion; a fellow who could pitch into any kind of sport and play an uncommonly good game at almost anything. More than that, he could rattle off ragtime untiringly and his nimble fingers could catch up on the piano any tune he heard whistled. What wonder he speedily became the idol of Colversham?
Small things they often were these gifts that meant so much to the child often things of very slight money value; but to the invalid whose long, tedious days of convalescence were stretches of monotony the tiny presents seemed treasures from an enchanted land. Tim was now at home in the shabby cottage on the outskirts of Colversham where he lived with his mother and four sisters.
With finality Bob wheeled his chair around and proceeded to submerge himself in his task. But not so Van. He took up his book, to be sure, but over the top of it his eyes roved to the world outside, and fixed themselves dreamily on the line of hills that peeped above the tips of the red maples budding in the school campus. He was far away from Colversham and its round of duties.
Before a day had passed from one end of Colversham to the other everybody knew that Van Blake had disobeyed the school rules and had in consequence forfeited his place in out-of-door sports. Van, however, was a great favorite and the manly way in which he accepted his penalty provoked nothing but admiration and respect from his classmates.
Did not half the spice of life lay in risks? Accordingly after the noonday meal was finished and the boys had scattered to recitations or the dormitories Van sauntered idly out past the tennis-courts; across the field skirting the golf course and then with one sudden plunge was behind the gymnasium and running like a deer for the thicket that separated Colversham from the Sawyer estate.
"Give up Colversham, Bob, and maybe you could come here and wear a white suit every day and personally conduct visitors through the works; perhaps they'd even pay you in bonbons," whispered Van. "He must be about our age," returned Bob. "I wonder what they pay him." "I'd lots rather have had a man take us round," said Van softly. "Do you suppose this fellow knows anything?"
Vacation with its country sports came to an end only too quickly, and leaving the New Hampshire hills behind the Carlton family, together with Van Blake, set out for New York where the boys were to make a weekend visit before returning to Colversham. "I wish while we're in New York we could go through your refinery, Dad," Bob remarked to his father. Mr. Carlton glanced at him in surprise.
Binding a handkerchief round the little fellow's head the older boy lifted him in his arms and retracing his steps ran with him down the road, across the Sawyer lawn, and up the steps of the Colversham infirmary. A young orderly who was lounging at the door came forward and on seeing the child's face spoke quickly to a physician who was passing through the hall.
So he had fearlessly told the truth, and despite the calamity it threatened he found himself the happier for telling it. Whether it would mean expulsion from Colversham he did not know; probably it would. To think of leaving Colversham, the place he loved so much! And in disgrace, too. What would the other boys say? And his father? Van shrank at the thought of telling his father. Mr.
He'll have no candy bills from us." In the meantime Mr. Carlton waited for the tremendous bonbon bill that had threatened to reduce his bank account, and when it was not forthcoming he nodded his head and chuckled quietly to himself. Another day passed and Bob and Van were once more back at Colversham greeting the boys and vainly endeavoring to settle down to the work of the last term.
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