“There are many other things the scouts have to learn,” Whyn explained, “and they are very important.”

“What are they?”

“I don’t exactly know.  But there is a book which tells all about them.  Douglas told me that a scout must do a good turn every day.”

“What’s that?”

“It is to do a kind act of some kind.  I know of one boy who looked after the baby so that his mother could go out for awhile.  Another rescued a poor little kitten from some cruel boys who were teasing it.  When I write my story with you in it, your good turn will be the rescuing a girl from the water just like you did yesterday.  I hope to sell the story and make so much money that I shall be able to go to the specialist in New York.”

“What are you going to call the boy?” Rod asked.

“I haven’t decided yet.  Maybe I shall call him Rod; wouldn’t that be nice?”

“How did you know that was my name?”

“Mrs. Britt told me this morning before you came.”

“Did you ask her?”

“Yes.”

Rod’s heart gave a little flutter of pleasure.  So this beautiful girl had been thinking of him, and had even asked about his name.  It made him feel happy all over.

Just then Parson Dan appeared in the doorway.

“My, what a great 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?”