Having consumed everything in sight and reached that state of repletion without which no Christmas dinner may be considered really perfect, the two boys relapsed for a space into a comfortable, friendly sort of silence.
“Notmuchon skees, are you?” commented Hedges, presently, glancing quizzically at his companion.
Seabury flushed a little. “I wish you wouldn't,” he protested. “If you had any idea how scared I was, and—and—Why, the whole thing was just pure luck.”
Hedges snorted. “Bosh! You go tell that to your grandmother. There's one thing,” he added; “as soon as I'm around again, you've got to come out and give me some points. I thought I was fairly decent on skees, but I guess after all I'm pretty punk.”
“I'll show you anything I can, of course,” agreed Seabury, readily. He paused an instant and then went on hesitatingly: “I—I'm going to do a lot more of that sort of thing from now on. It—it was simply disgusting the way I got winded so soon and all tired out.”
“Sure,” nodded Hedges, promptly. “That's what I've always said. You ought to take more exercise and not mope around by yourself so much. But we'll fix that up all right from now on.” He paused. “Aren't you going to read some more in 'Treasure Island'?” he asked expectantly. “That's some book, believe me! What with you and that and everything, I'm not going to mind being laid up at all.”
Seabury made no comment, but as he reached for the book and found their place, the corners of his mouth curved with the beginnings of a contented, happy smile.
1. A Summer Adventure11. The Fire in School2. At Easter Time12. An Unexpected Hero3. The Swimming Match13. Tony's Brother4. A Cross Country Adventure14. Skating on the River5. The Lost Books15. The Bicycle Meet6. The School Bully16. At the Sea Shore7. The Hiding Place17. The Trip to the Woods8. An Excursion18. The Surprise of the Day9. The Little Freshman19. The Best Batter10. Our Election Day20. How We Found a Captain
1. A Summer Adventure11. The Fire in School2. At Easter Time12. An Unexpected Hero3. The Swimming Match13. Tony's Brother4. A Cross Country Adventure14. Skating on the River5. The Lost Books15. The Bicycle Meet6. The School Bully16. At the Sea Shore7. The Hiding Place17. The Trip to the Woods8. An Excursion18. The Surprise of the Day9. The Little Freshman19. The Best Batter10. Our Election Day20. How We Found a Captain
Write a story that will be closely connected with school life. Use the ordinary characters that are to be found in your school, but use typical characters that will sum up well-recognized characteristics. Base your story upon any sharp contrast in characters. Begin your story by telling of everyday events, but make those events lead quickly to events that are out of the ordinary. In like manner begin with familiar surroundings and then lead your readers into surroundings that will be less familiar and that will be an appropriate setting for unusual action. Make the climax of your story powerful by using suspense. Indicate that your hero is likely to be overcome. Make his final success depend upon his resolution or good spirit,—upon his character. Use much conversation. Omit everything that will not contribute to the effect of the climax.