talking time you young people have had," he
exclaimed. "Here I have been waiting for you, sir, ever so long," and
he laid his hand affectionately upon the boy's shoulder. "I hope he
hasn't tired you, dear," he continued, turning toward Whyn.

"Oh, no," was the eager reply. "We have had such a lovely time. May
be come again soon?"

"Certainly. I know it will give him great pleasure."

As they were leaving, Rod went close to Whyn and whispered:

"I'm going to be a scout, and get Captain Josh to help."

"How nice," and the girl's smile of encouragement followed him as he
left the room.

CHAPTER X

HIS FIRST "GOOD TURN"

Rod was greatly excited over what Whyn had told him about the boy
scouts, and on the way home he plied Parson Dan with numerous questions.

"Didn't you ever hear of them before, grandad?" he asked.

"Yes, Rodney, I did," was the reply. "But there are so many things
taking place in the cities these days that it is hard for an old man
like me to keep run of them all. If I were younger I might be able to
do something. But in the country where the boys are so scattered, I am
afraid that it would be a difficult undertaking to form a band of
scouts."

"Well, I am going to be a scout, anyway," Rod declared. "I want to
learn how to bring a drowned man back to life, and to talk with flags.
Oh, it must be great to do that! How can I learn, grandad?"

"There must be books which explain such things," the clergyman replied.
"Shall I write to the city to find out?"

"Oh, will you, grandad?" and Rod fairly danced with joy, and his eyes
sparkled with excitement. "Will you write at once?"

"Yes, dear. I shall write the letter this evening, and it will go down
on Monday."

"When will the book come?"

"It should be here by Wednesday."

"Oh!"

"But, remember, Rodney, you must not let this scout idea interfere with
your school lessons."

"No, grandad, I won't. I will study hard and fast so that I can read
my scout book."

Parson Dan smiled as he watched the lad's enthusiasm. He thought, too,
of another boy, who also had been full of life and fun, but who had
been unnaturally checked when he should have been directed and led
aright. He now realised only too well what a mistake had been made
with Alec, and he was determined that the same should not be the case
with Rodney.

The following days were very long ones to Rod. It seemed as if
Wednesday would never come. He thought ove