"Why didn't you stick to the stage?" asked Dave.
"He wasn't appreciated, that's why," answered Sam Day. "But some day you want to hear him recite, it's simply great."
"His address to the Romans will make you weep gallons of tears," came from Roger, with a wink.
"Speaking of gallons of tears puts me in mind of a story my uncle used to tell," came from Shadow Hamilton. "He had an old man working——"
"Save it, Shadow," came from one of the others. "We've had enough stories for one day."
"I haven't told more than——"
"Twenty-one," finished Phil Lawrence. "I've kept tab. Shadow, you ought to write for the comic papers, you'd make your fortune."
"Let's give 'em a song, boys!" cried Sam Day, and immediately started up, with words that were popular at Oak Hall.
"Oak Hall we never shall forget,
No matter where we roam,
It is the very best of schools,
To us it's just like home.
Then give three cheers, and let them ring
Throughout this world so wide,
To let the people know that we
Elect to here abide!"
This was sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne," and at the end of the verse was added the academy cry:
