"He is a rascal, Mrs. Fenton, and has a temper like sin; but he
will tell the truth, thank goodness."

I am telling this not for the mere relation, but by way of
introduction. It was my first meeting with Hobart Fenton. It is
necessary that you know us both and our characters. Our lives are
so entwined and so related that without it you could not get the
gist of the story. In the afternoon I came across the street to
play with Hobart. He met me smiling. It was not in his healthy
little soul to hold resentment. I was either all smiles or anger.
I forgot as quickly as I battled. That night there were two happy
youngsters tucked into the bed and covers.

So we grew up; one with the other. We played as children do and
fought as boys have done from the beginning. I shall say right now
that the fights were mostly my fault. I started them one and all;
and if every battle had the same beginning it likewise had the
same ending. The first fight was but the forerunner of all the
others.

Please do not think hardly of Hobart. He is the kindest soul in
the world; there never was a truer lad nor a kinder heart. He was
strong, healthy, fat, and, like fat boys, forever laughing. He
followed me into trouble and when I was retreating he valiantly
defended the rear. Stronger, sturdier, and slower, he has been a
sort of protector from the beginning. I have called him the Rear
Guard; and he does not resent it.

I have always been in mischief, restless, and eager for anything
that would bring quick action; and when I got into deep water