the midnight sun
And then Dan , being of a communicative nature , and seeing no cause for reserve , told his new acquaintance all about the scholarship that had introduced him into spheres of birth and breeding to which he frankly confessed he could make no claim . `` I 'm not Freddy 's sort , I know ; but he took to me somehow , -- I ca n't tell why . '' Yet as Dan went on with his simple , honest story , his listener , who , world-wise and world-weary as he was , knew something of the boyish nature that turns instinctively to what is strong and true and good , felt he could tell why Freddy took to this rough diamond of a chum . Dan , in his turn , learned that his new acquaintance was called John Wirt ; that he was off on a vacation trip , hunting and fishing wherever there was promise of good sport ; that he had travelled abroad for several years , -- had been to China , Japan , India , Egypt ; had hunted lions and elephants , seen the midnight sun , crossed Siberian steppes and African deserts . From a geographical standpoint , Mr. Wirt 's story seemed an open and extensive map , but biographically it was a blank . Of his personal history , past , present or future , he said nothing . Altogether , Dan and his new acquaintance had a pleasant hour on the open deck beneath the stars , and made friends rapidly .