During those years Wilbur had kept secret his pride in his brother, his exultation that Merle should have been called for this high eminence and not found wanting.

There had been no one to whom he could reveal it, except to Winona, perhaps in little flashes.

Now that they were alone in a curious renewal of their old intimacy, he permitted it to shine forth in all its fullness, and Merle became pleasantly aware that this sharp-speaking brother--where golf was concerned--felt for him something much like worship.

The glow warmed them both as they loitered over the course, stopping at leisure to recall ancient happenings of their boyhood together.

Far apart now in their points of view, the expensively nurtured Merle, and Wilbur, who had grown as he would, whose education was of the street and the open, they found a common ground and rejoiced in their contact.
"I don't understand why we haven't seen more of each other all these years," said Merle on a late day of this renewed companionship.