Page:The fighting scrub, (IA fightingscrub00barb).pdf/122

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  • sary in many cases, though some of the fellows already

claimed nodding acquaintance with the two. Mr. McKnight had already learned of Tom's election and congratulated him very warmly, thereby spreading the news throughout the study. The youth with the agitated Adam's apple, whose name proved to be, appropriately enough, Baldwin, and whom Tom ever after alluded to as "The Pippin," insisted on shaking hands a second time with Tom and "felicitating" him. Baldwin modestly claimed brotherhood with Tom by reason of being somewhat athletic himself, having played last year on the Second Class Tennis Team. Whereupon Tom said: "Fine! Tennis is a great game. And I like croquet, too, Baldwin." Baldwin agreed that croquet was doubtless an interesting pastime, but you could plainly see that he resented having it placed on a level with tennis.

"Lovey" went to the piano and played something that sounded extremely difficult, and horribly mixed-up. Clif enjoyed watching his hands, though. Evidently Mr. McKnight could play well, but Clif was relieved when he broke into a popular song and, setting the example in a good baritone, persuaded most of the company to sing. There were three or four vocal selections rendered, and then "Lovey" moved a small table into the center of the big, soft rug, and served refreshments of sandwiches and cake, and lemonade. Eating appeared to loosen the tongues of the "intellectuals," and soon at least four debates were under way. Baldwin, half a sandwich poised in his right hand, a glass