After having been ignored once or twice by Miss Lawrence, LaHume left our little group on the veranda and pulled a chair to the side of Carter, who was reading his evening paper.  It is not safe to interrupt Carter while thus engaged, but after LaHume said a few words the other laid aside the paper and listened intently.  They talked for some time, and in view of what happened later I have an idea of the subject of their conversation.

Carter called me aside the next evening.

“I understand,” he said, “that you have retained the services of a private golf tutor.”

“Who told you that?” I was thunderstruck.

“Never mind who told me,” laughed Carter.  “Trying to steal a march on the rest of us, eh?  Foxy old Smith; foxy old Smith!”

There was nothing I cared to say, and I said it.

“Is he any good?” Carter asked.

“Is who any good?” I parried.

“Wallace, of course.  Oh, I know all about it.  You, Miss Lawrence, Miss Ross, and Miss Harding have been taking lessons from Wallace for several evenings over in Bishop’s sheep pasture.  What I wish to know is this:  does this Scotch chap of Bishop’s really know anything about the game, or are the girls carried away with him because he is a handsome dog who has seen better days and is now playing in bad luck?”

“I cannot speak for the young ladies,” I replied realising that I might as well tell the truth, “but I am smitten with the way he hits a ball, and also with his genius in explaining it to me.  Carter, I tell you this fellow Wallace is a wonder!”

Carter was silent a moment.

“I wonder if he would like a job as golf professional?” he said.

“Golf professional?” I repeated.  “Where?”

“Right here in Woodvale,” declared Carter.

“To take Kirkaldy’s place?”

“Yes, to take Kirkaldy’s place.  Kirkaldy handed me his resignation to-night to take effect on Saturday.  A rich uncle has died in Scotland, and our young friend will buy his own golf balls in future, instead of winning them from you and me.  Now you and I constitute the majority of the house committee, and if this Wallace is as good as you say, and I do not doubt your judgment in the least, what’s the matter with offering him Kirkaldy’s place?  A man who can drive a dozen balls two hundred yards and tell how he does it is squandering his time and cheating humanity by serving as hired man.”

I told him what Wallace said when I offered him money.

“That’s all nonsense,” declared Carter.  “He can be a professional and return to the amateur ranks after he has gone into some other avocation.  That is the rule not only here but in Great Britain.  Kirkaldy can now become an amateur, and doubtless will.  Get your hat and we’ll go over and talk to this chap right now.”

“How about LaHume?” I asked.  LaHume is the third member of the house committee.

“Never mind about LaHume,” laughed Carter.  “I imagine there are reasons why LaHume might oppose the selection of Wallace, but if we are satisfied LaHume will have to be.”