Page 78 - An Amateur Fireman

"No, sir."

"Why not?"

"'Cause I've allers had to hustle for my livin,' an' it never seemed as though I had the time; but now since
you've begun to talk I know I might have done it evenings, instead of hangin' 'round with the fellers, or
sleepin'. If I'd known folks had to go to school before they could be firemen, I'd been studyin' these last two
years."

"I believe you, my boy, and if you had put into the work at books anywhere near as hard as you have on what
you call 'picking up points,' you'd have been pretty well along by this time. Howsomever, we can remedy that,
though we can't call back lost time. Jerry Walters and I'll figger up what's to be done, and explain further as
soon as we've settled matters, 'cause you see, Amateur, you belong to Ninety-four, an' we ain't of the mind to
have you fail in what you set out after."

"Shall I have any chance to see you?"

"Bless you, lad, yes. You'll be through between six and seven o'clock, and we'll be glad to have you drop in
any evening till you set about studying; then I allow we'll fix up some place so's you can be away from your
partner and his friends. We won't have any soft talk after we get inside, so I'll say it all now. Keep your upper
lip stiff, Amateur; don't get down at the heel if them as are in charge seem to bear on a little too hard;
remember that all hands of Ninety-four's company are counting on you to make good their words, and be a
man. Unless we get a call you'll see us to-night, so there ain't need of saying very much more just now."

By this time they had arrived at headquarters, and 'Lish Davis entered the building with the air of one who has
no especial interest in whoever may be following him.