He’s a smart kid. I think he’ll make good.”

“But, Alan, I thought you didn’t like Bob. I thought you didn’t approve of him at all.”

“Well, I don’t!” said Alan with a strange grin on his face. “At least I thought I didn’t. But I guess I’ll have to change my opinion. He certainly has showed up in great shape tonight, offering to stay in my place.”

“Maybe he doesn’t really want to go,” suggested Sherrill.

“Yes, he does, Sherry!” protested Alan earnestly. “He told me in there just now it had been a dream of his life to do something like that, and he promised me all kinds he was going to make good. Listen, Sherry. Bob’s had a rotten deal lately. His sister died last month, you know, and she was the only one that ever cared for him. His brother-in-law is as hard as nails. He gave Bob a job in the canning factory carrying out peelings at six dollars a week and his board. Told him if he didn’t like that he could get out, it was all he would ever do for him. I think he’s been kind of up against it. You know Bob. He’d never stand being humiliated by that old grouch. He’d just go to the devil pretty soon, and nobody care.”

“But how do you know what he may do in Egypt? Do you trust him?”

“Sure! I think he’ll make good. He used to be crazy about old Hodge. It was the only thing we ever had in common. I think maybe he’ll turn out all right. He’s keen on the job.”

Sherrill had been buttering thin slices of bread for sandwiches, and now she turned around with the knife in her hand and her eyes bright.

“Alan, I think you’re just wonderful!” she said, with a shining look.

“Nothing of the kind, Sherry. I’ve just had to grind my teeth all day to keep from boohooing because I can’t go myself.”

“Well, I think you’re wonderful!” stated Sherrill again, whirling back to her buttering. “This may be the chance of Bob’s life, but I’m inclined to think you’ve got a bigger one yet coming to you. Now, these are ready. Get the pitcher out of the right-hand door, please. And put that plate of cake on the tray. I’ll take these in.”

“Say, this is some set out, Sherry!” said Alan, surveying the burdened tray. “But I’m glad you did it. I believe that kid is really hungry.”

Sherry flashed him a glad look and led the way with her plate of delicate sandwiches.

Bob looked up from the letter he had copied, his face flushed with eagerness, and a radiant smile that made him seem like a new person, not the boy they had disliked through the last three years of high school.

“Boy!” said Bob. “That certainly looks good! You two people are making me feel I’m leaving some real friends when I go away.