that Tom had accepted Mr. Bartholomew's challenge with such
eagerness.

Tom went back to the house for lunch, and as he joined his
father in the dining room he remarked to Eradicate:

"I want the electric runabout brought around after lunch. I am
going to Waterfield. Tell Koku, will you, Rad?"

"Tell that crazy fellow?" demanded the old colored man
heatedly. "Why should I tell him, Massa Tom? Ain't I able to
bring dat runabout out o' de garbarge? Shore I is!"

"You can't do everything, Rad," said Tom, soberly. "That is
humanly impossible."

"But dat Koku can't do nothin' right. Dat's inhumanly possible,
Massa Tom."

"Give him a chance, Rad. I have to take Koku with me this
afternoon. You must give your attention to the house and to
father."

"Huh! Umm!" grunted Eradicate.

Rad was jealous of anybody who waited on Tom besides himself.
Yet he was proud of responsibility, too. He teetered between the
pride of being in charge at home and accompanying his young
master, and finally replied: