* * *
Zack was still very much out of sorts over being refused permission to go with us on the rafting expedition, right from the time of our first approach to Father O’Long. And neither was his disposition helped by the nature of our subsequent adventures. As a result I was apprehensive about adding further to his hurt feelings, for I’d not had an opportunity to talk with him about it since our return.
As soon as I was out of the paddy wagon I went looking for him – and found him lying on his bed in the dormitory, staring at the ceiling.
“Hey, Casey,” he said without looking at me. “What do you reckon I did yes’ty arvo.”
He jumped up without waiting for a reply and stalked past me toward the door, still in a fair state of huff. “I had a game of cards with Peter Rabbit and Sinker,” he said angrily, “and then read a couple of comics. Gees it was exciting!”
I went and sat on the edge of my corner bed – feeling, for some odd reason, slightly guilty.
After about ten minutes he returned.
“I’m sorry, Casey,” he said. “I didn’t mean nothin’.”
“Forget it,” I told him. “I’d feel the same way.”
“Yeah. ...Gees, I dunno. Nothin’ ever happens around here.”
* * *