Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-19
SIR PETER.
Written for The Star by
CLEMENT CHAPMAN YOUNG.
Copyright. 1905, BY @. @. Young.)
CHAPTER vi.
Planning Honors for Pete.

CHAPTER VI.
Planning Honors for Pete.
Tom. feeling stiff and sore after his ad-
venture in the drain, was content to re-
main in his room and nurse the cuts and
bruises received In that rough passage.
Bob had come over to hear more OF his
friends experience and the two were listen
ing attentively while Mrs. velton related
stories of the days when knighthood -four
ished.
Tom was always interested in the knights,
especially those rowing spirits who wander
ed about seeking strange adventures and
performing doughty deeds. Next to these
he liked best TO hear of the fearless cham
pions in helmet and armor, who tilted for
the love OF their fair ladies and the honor
to be gained. When his mother pictured
the steel-clad knights astride their great
war horses and told how they went thun-
dering down the lists, he almost fancied he
| could hear the hush Of the expectant null
ti.ude and the crash Of splintering spears.
1t was hard to say whether the recital Of
those stirring events impressed him more
than the thought Of the lonely vigil each
squire must keep who sought the honor Of
accolade. Tom fancied there was some
thing weird about the silent watching
through the stiffness Of the night, in prep
aration for the coming of the king And
when he pictured to himself the royal
presence, the martial figures grouped about
the kneeling candidate awaiting the touch
of the uplifted sword-juSt as he had seen
1t all in some old print-he wished with all
his heart that he had lived in those ro-
mantle times and had had part in such
chiyalrouS customs.
Sir Wilfred was a parfit knight"
quoted Mrs. Velton. concluding her MARIA
tive.
What kind of knight was that. mother?"
'tOne that was gentle, fearless and pure
In heart
was he a French knight?" asked Bob.
"A French knight7" replied Mrs. Velton.
with a puzzled expression.
You said he was parf-it sounded
like French"
Mrs velton smiled; IT see what you
mean. No. parfit is an English word now
obsolete and means perfect"
1T people talked like that, I don't see
how they understood each other" was
Toms comment
'Oh. their speech was quite as plain an
yours. or Bob's, although such words sound
odd to U.s..
For some time after Mrs. velton returned
to her household duties. quiet reigned In
Toms room. But soon shouts of laughter
and the loud voices of the boys were heard;
and when, in response to Toms urgent call.
hts mother hurried upstairs. she found him
self and Bob In great excitement
Why, what Is the NATTER
"Oh, mother. we've just thought Of the
jolliest thing" and carried away by en-
thusiasm. Tom danced around forgetful OF
his injuries.
velton; tho best lark you ever heard Of"
But what Is itf' asked that puzzled lady.
You know the story you were telling"
Tom began.
Yes the knighs-the ones the king
made with his swordT''
Mrs. velton held up her hands In sm1l.
Ing protest. Don't get so excited. OF
| 49, h. lrDlr At1t r1,of
about themr'
We're going to make Pete knight"
x knight-a real knight-just as they
used to do"
IT never heard OF such q thing"
"Of course you didn't agreed Bob;
"thafs just It: nobody ever did. But won't
1t be immensef' and his face beamed with
pleasure
It was some moments before Mrs. Vel
ton recovered from her establishment; then
she laughed 80 heartily that Tom and Bob
had to Join in, out of sympathy. Regain
inK some degree OF composure, she ex-
claimed, How perfectly absurd. The idea
Of making q rooster knight" and again
sil three laughed.
"Pity We never thought Of It before"
How dad you come to think OF 1t at
aliY'
The boys exchanged meaning looks. I'VE
were talking about sthe knights after you
l01I, dnu-SOLHouoW SiASy taAaeS 40 saAitaa "
Pete-and we agreed he'd make a rafting
fine one:
bo oRn ,an praYes declared Tom. ..rhe story
said q knight must be gentle and brave
Then he loves to IL to wander around on
his own hook
ron his whaf7''
'His own-why, by himself. like those
notwithstanding"
you mean knights errant"
Yes that's what mean The ones VINO
were always looking for-for chances"
II am afraid Pefe's little too fond Of
looking for chances" replied Mrs. Veiton.
gravsiy. But how do you expect to make
Tom laughed gieefuIly. ''we'H do 1t all
right: won't we Boil?
Bot's answer was smile Of supreme
And you'll help US. motherf"
IT don't know how can help you"
laughed Mrs. velton. T never took part
in the making Of q knight. What can
Loan us q lot Of things to fx up the
barn with.
THE barn7ss
..Yss, tlnnt.a the only place big enough.
YDu see It must be = large rC0uL Ike those
/ In q castle, where we can rig up an alfek.
You won't know irs & barn In ,. q
iot u1.t 81 fhines." s..
so ysa nss g! 5! f. sraassorn &c barn 'ato
hit Whist ~ ussan ~ ~ dec1ere6
Tm win enehn11Ae =. s -.