"No, indeed, Jim. I get hungry for girls the same way--it's all right," she assured him. But she made up her mind that Jim should not get _so_ hungry for boys again--she would see to that. After a moment he asked thoughtfully, "Why can't boys be Scouts till they're twelve, Miss Laura?" "I think because younger boys could not go on the long tramps." "Oh!" Jim thought that over and finally admitted, "Yes, I guess that's it." A little later he asked anxiously, "Do you s'pose they'd let a fellow join when he's twelve even if he is just a _little_ lame?" "O, I hope so, Jim," Laura answered quickly. "But you ain't sure. Jack wasn't sure, but he guessed they would." Jim pondered a while in silence, then he broke out again, "Seems to me the only way is for me to get this leg cured. I can't be shut out of things always just 'cause of that, can I now, Miss Laura?" "Nothing can shut you out of the best things, Jim." The boy looked up at her, tipping his round head till he reminded her of an uncommonly wise sparrow. "I don't _quite_ know what you mean," he said in a doubtful tone. "You like stories of men who have done splendid brave things, don't you?" Laura asked. Jim nodded, his eyes searching her face. "But some of the bravest men have never been able to fight or do the things you love to hear about." "How did they be brave then?" Jim demanded. "They were brave because they endured very, very hard things and never whimpered." "What's whimpered?" "To whimper is to cry or complain--or be sorry for yourself." Jim studied over that; then coming close to Laura, he looked straight into her eyes. "You mean that I mustn't talk about that?" He touched his lame leg. "It would be better not, if you can help it," she said very gently. "I got to help it then, 'cause, of course, I've got to be brave. And mebbe if I get strong as--as anything, they'll let me join the Scouts when I'm twelve even--even if I ain't quite such a good walker as the rest of 'em. Don't you think they _might_, Miss Laura?" "Yes, Jim, I think they might," she agreed hastily. Who could say "No" to such pleading eyes? Jim had been teasing to go to school, and when at the next Camp Fire meeting, Lena Barton told him that Jo had been sent to an outdoor school, Jim wanted to go there too. "Take him to the doctor and see what he thinks about it," the judge advised, and to Jim's delight the doctor said that it was just the place for him. "Let him sleep out of doors too for a year," the doctor added. "It will do him a world of good." So the next day Miss Laura went with him to the school, Jim limping gaily along at her side, and chuckling to himself as he thought how "s'prised" Jo would be to see him there. Jo undoubtedly was surprised. He was a thin little chap, freckled and red-haired like his sister, and he welcomed his old comrade with a wide friendly grin.