If I fail in any particular I
hope you'll take a shot at me on sight. I'm sorry, too, my boy."
"That's all right, Mr. Flanders," said Frederick bravely. "I bend the
knee to a worthy rival, sir. I--I--" The words trailed off into
indistinct murmurings, for he had completely forgotten the rest of the
high-sounding sentences supplied for this very encounter by the
helpful Melissa. She had written them out for him and he had learned
them by heart. And now they failed him!
Flanders allowed his grip to tighten on the boy's shoulder. "You will
get over it, Freddie. I had a similar affliction when I was your age.
It was pretty rough, but I pulled through."
"I shall never love any one else, Mr. Flanders," said Frederick
solemnly. "I shall never be untrue to her."
"Well, it's fine of you to take it in such a manly fashion, old chap.
It's great. Not many fellows could have done what you've done. I'm
sure I couldn't. It took grit to come out here and tell me this. Shake
hands again, my boy. And I now promise that I shall keep her happy if
it lies in the power of a human being to do so.
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