e is a first class
scout."

"That shows what kind of a scout you are," said Roy; "throwing stones at
birds."

"You're crazy," Pee-wee said, "that's an adverb."

"You mean a proverb," said Roy. "A lot you know about grammar; you don't
know the difference between a proposition and an injunction. He thinks
Boys' Life is a musical instrument because it's the scouts' official
organ. You're lucky not to be wished onto the Ravens," he said to Warde.

"I'm a full scout, that's all I'm thinking of," Warde laughed.

"Well I'm an empty one," said Roy.

"Same here," Pee-wee shouted.

"I'm glad to see you agree about something," Warde laughed. He felt like
laughing. He seemed to walk on air. "I'm an empty one, too," he added.
"Let's hike back through Westwood and get something to eat there."

"Carried by an unanimous majority," said Roy.

It was just exactly like Warde Hollister to give himself up to frank
elation at this achievement of full scouthood. For so he regarded it. He
had been the only second class scout in the troop, and those words
_second class_ had not been pleasant to his ears. With him it was
all or nothing. His thoughts were fixed on high.

To the natural enthusiasm of the new scout was added his own natural
enthusiasm and fine, high spirit. He did not want to be a star scout; he
must be an eagle scout. He did not want the bronze cross or the silver
cross; he would win the gold cross. The tenderfoot and second class
ranks were not steps _in_ scouting, they were steps to scouting.
And until now he had thought of himself as an outsider. He was wrong in
this, of course, but that was Warde Hollister.

Since Warde was in the troop it was a kind of disgrace to the troop and
to his patrol that he should not be a first class scout. So he thought.
The tests in the handbook he had found not difficult to pass. In the
case of this final one it was just a question of appropriate
opportunity. Until this day he had scorned to lay down his work. For
that also was a test. You see that all the tests are not in the
handbook, and that is the trouble. Wherever a scout goes he bumps into
tests which the very wise men who made the handbook never dreamed of.

To pass a test is one thing. To _stand_ a test is something else.

Little Warde Hollister knew of the great test that awaited him.

CHAPTER XVI

RIGHT SIDE OUT

And so Warde Hollister, with the gateway leading to every merit badge
and scout honor now thrown