Barbour Ralph Henry - For the Honor of the School: A Story of School Life and Interscholastic Sport стр 6.

What loafing? asked Don sarcastically.

No, not exactly that, but but oh, hunting and riding and being sociable generally. Do you shoot?

Not much; Ive potted beach birds and plovers once or twice.

Well, thats the kind of sport I like. Down home we shoot quail, you know; its right good fun. And next month the fox hunting begins.

I think I should like that, exclaimed Don eagerly, forgetting his ill humor. Ive never ridden to hounds. Isnt it hard jumping fences and things?

Hard on a horse? Shucks! Compared to leaping over hedges on your feet its about the easiest thing in the world. All you have to do is to sit still.

Well, it sounds easy, answered Don dubiously, but I should think sitting still on a horse that was plunging over a rail fence would be rather difficult; seems to me that the easiest thing would be to fall off. Did you ever fall?

Twice. Once I hurt my shoulder a little. Of course we boys dont do any hard riding; dad wont let me go out very often, and when he does he always goes along. You see, once I went fox hunting instead of going to school, and he found out about it.

What kind of a school was it you went to?

Oh, a little private school kept by an old codger who used to be a professor at the University. We fellows had a pretty easy time of it; when we didnt want to study we didnt, which was mighty often.

Well, you wont find it so easy here, said Don.

Oh, Ive found that out already, answered Wayne ruefully. We have so many studies here I cant begin to keep track of them all. I never know whether I ought to be at a recitation or fussing with dumb-bells in the gymnasium.

Well, youll get used to it after a while and like it immensely, and think that there isnt another place in the world like Hillton. And when you do youll care more whether we win or get beaten at athletics and football; and then

There came a loud hammering at the door.

Enter Paddy and David! cried Don.

Dave Merton alone entered, and closing the door behind him promptly fell over an armchair.

Confound you fellows! why cant you keep your room decent? A chaps always breaking his shins when he comes here. Wheres Paddy?

What, have you become separated? cried Don. Light the gas, Wayne, and let us view the unaccustomed sight of Dave without Paddy.

He said he was coming up here after he dressed. I left him at the gym. Dave stumbled against a straight-backed chair, placed it on its back just inside the door, and groped his way to a seat beside Don. Hope hell break his shins too, when he comes, he said grimly.

What have you two inseparables been up to this afternoon? asked Don.

Oh, Paddys been doing stunts with a football, and hes awfully annoyed over something, and Ive been tossing a hammer around the landscape; thats all.

And did you manage to break another goal post?

No; couldnt seem to hit anything to-day, although I did come within a few yards of Greene.

Another thunderous knocking was heard, and, without awaiting an invitation, Paddy came in, and the sound of breaking wood followed as he landed on the chair.

Im afraid Ive bust something, he said cheerfully, as he struggled to his feet. And serves you right, too. Is Dave here?

Havent seen him, answered Wayne.

Wonder where the silly chump went to. Where are you, you fellows? Paddy felt his way around the table and gropingly found a seat between Don and Dave. He said he was coming up here before supper. A faint chuckle aroused his suspicions and the sound of a struggle followed. Then Paddys voice arose in triumphant tones.

Tis you, yer spalpeen. Theres only one ugly nose like that in school.

Ouch! yelled Dave. Let go!

Is it you? asked Paddy grimly.

Yes.

Are you a spalpeen?

Yes, oh yes. Ouch!

All right. Paddy deposited Dave on the floor and arranged himself comfortably in the window.

Dave says youre annoyed, Paddy. Whos been ill-treating the poor little lad? asked Don, when the laughter had subsided and Dave had retreated to the other window seat.

Don, its kilt I am intoirely, answered Paddy. For thirty mortal minutes Gardiner had me snapping back the ball to that butter-fingered Bowles. If he doesnt put another quarter-back in soon I shall hand in me resignation. And to make things worse Gardiner stayed up all last night and thought out a most wonderful new trick play, and to-day he tried to put us through it. And, oh dear! I wish you could have seen the backs all tearing around like pigs with a dog after them, bumping into each other, getting in each others way and all striking the line at different places and asking, please wouldnt we let them through! Oh dear! oh dear! And that chap Moore, who plays center on the second, got me around the neck twice and tried to pull my head off. If he doesnt quit that trick Ill be forced to forget my elegant manners and slug him.

And hell wipe the turf up with you, and I hope he does, said Dave, rubbing his nose ruefully.

And the St. Eustace game only two weeks off, continued Paddy, heedless of the interruption. Were in an awful state, fellows. I wish we had Remsen back to coach us. Gardiners all right in his way, but he doesnt begin to know the football that Stephen Remsen does. Were goners this year for sure.

Oh, cheer up, answered Don. You can do lots in two weeks. Look at the material weve got.

Yes, look at it, said Paddy. There isnt a man in the line or back of it thats played in a big game except Greene and myself.

But St. Eustace has a lot of new men this year, too.

Dont you believe it, my boy. Thats what they say, but Gardiner told me yesterday that St. Eustace has five fellows on the team that played against us last year.

Does the game come off here? asked Wayne.

No, its at Marshall this year. Were all going down, arent we, fellows? asked Dave.

Of course, answered Don. We will go and see Paddy slaughtered. Wayne will go along and well teach him to sing Hilltonians. By the way, Ive been trying to persuade him that he ought to take up training for the track team. He will make a first-class runner. But hes so terribly lazy and indifferent that its like talking to a football dummy.

Of course you ought to, Wayne, exclaimed Paddy earnestly. Its your duty, my young friend. Every fellow ought to do everything he can for the success of the school. Id try for the team if I could run any faster than I can walk.

Oh, well, said Wayne, Ill see about it.

You ought to jump at the chance, said Dave, in disgust. It isnt every chap that gets asked by the captain of the team. And, let me tell you Hello! Six oclock, fellows. Whos for supper?

Every one, cried Don, jumping up. But Ive got to wash first. Some one light the gas if they can find the matches.

Well, Im off, said Paddy.

Som I, echoed Dave. I say, Don, Im coming over after supper to see if you can help me with that trigonometry stuff.

All right, answered Don from the bedroom between splashes. If you know less about it than I do Ill be surprised.

Come on, cried Paddy impatiently from the doorway

CHAPTER IV