Page:Jay Little - Maybe—Tomorrow.pdf/148

 cup of black coffee, then sat down at the table and enjoyed it. Said, "Isn't there any school this morning?"

Gaylord's heart figuratively stood still. The moment his father asked him the question he was nervous. There was no need for this, no need at all. His father had always been wonderful to him. He often asked himself what was the reason, why couldn't he feel free around his father? His mother didn't bother him but when his father was around he always seemed to freeze up. There was no use lying about it … he might just as well tell the truth … so he said,

"Yes, there is … but I've got some things I want to do around here this morning. I've got all my lessons."

"So, you're going to play hookey today, huh?" And then in sudden inspiration, Le Claire's tones lifted. "How'd you like to go with your mother and me. They're supposed to bring in number eight today."

"They are?"

"Uh huh. Cunningham called me last night …"

Gaylord interrupted, "Who's Cunningham?"

"He's the driller. Called me last night; said they had about a fifteen foot oil sand … Looks like we're going to have another good producer, Son."

"That's good … with a fifteen foot oil sand it should be."

"It will be. It's in the same vein as number six and six is the best in the whole damn field," Le Claire said with a defiant air.

Le Claire, whose humble origin and lack of education had been the butt of numerous jokes at first, was now sought after by larger oil men than himself. He was a natural "wildcatter," and seemed to be able to smell the oil under the ground. He had never dug a dry hole and each location had been made by himself. Now, when he was about to launch his eighth "wildcat," he wanted his son to be with him.

Gaylord tried to be interested. "Guess that will teach Mr. Hardy."

Le Claire laughed. "I can just see his face when I tell him … He bet me a fifty dollar hat this one would be a dry hole …" Le Claire lit a cigarette. "Come with us, Gay … They're going to be yours some day … you're going to have to know how to take care of them."

"What time will you be back?" 138