Westy stood where he was for a few moments, loathe to leave the spot
where he had so recently been the cynosure of every eye. Truly, it was
gratifying, that knowledge, and he was pleased with himself. What boy
wouldn’t be? He had been publicly acclaimed as a hero, and now being
identified with the movies served to distinguish him more than ever.
If the casual bystander could have seen him at that moment, I am afraid
that Westy’s heroic appearance would not have been quite so manifest. At
any rate, he certainly looked for all the world as though he was in the
throes of deepest grief.
Try as he would, he could not prevent the moisture from emanating out of
his blinking eyes. He presented a pitiable contrast to his recent
triumphant state, and he knew it. His other eye had also become
afflicted with the same foreign substance, now making his visionary
powers difficult with either one. And he was sore at the world. Sore,
because he was afraid that he wouldn’t be able to convince Rip Langley
of the true cause of his affliction.
He knew what Rip would think when he caught sight of his tear-stained
face; that he was crying because he had just left his father and mother
behind. That’s what Rip would think.
For some reason or other, Westy had a feeling about Rip already. He felt
that this boy, his junior by a year and a half, was something of a
skeptic and it was his first move to set him on the right track at the
start.
Presently then, Westy sauntered in the smoking room with an air of
perfect nonchalance. His friends were lounging about--Rip included.
Stepping up to a large mirror over the lounge, Westy made a great
pretense of examining and administering to his overflowing orbs.
“’Lo!” said Rip suddenly, but friendly.
“’Lo!” answered Westy, relieved but yet feeling Rip’s searching eyes at
his back.
Mr. Wilde also looked up with the inevitable unlighted cigar in his
mouth and the derby hat in its accustomed place. He smiled.
Fine, so far, Westy commented to himself secretly.
“Well, what’s the dirt?” Rip questioned, typical of himself and looking
straight at Westy.
“What dirt?” He floundered a little but, gathering courage again:
“Where?”
A chuckle of cynical good humor escaped from Rip.
“In your eye! Where did you think I meant?”