Yes; I had a long talk with Wheels. I fancy he said some very good things, but I was so beastly hungry that Im not certain. He told me to stay in the Yard for a couple of weeks; rather nasty of him, dont you think?
Well, Nesbitt, under the circumstances, of course began Dick. Then he paused as he saw, or thought he saw, a twinkle of amusement in the blue eyes before him.
Oh, well, two weeks is soon over with, and I had lots of fun while it lasted. Trevor smiled reminiscently.
You had driven before, I suppose? asked Dick with supreme indifference.
Yes; the pater and I used to do a good bit that way at home in England, you know and then last summer at Richfield I kept a nag or two rather busy.
Have you been in this country long? Dick really didnt care, of course, but one had to make conversation.
Four years; the pater came over here to look after his business and brought me with him; the manager died. Then we thought that is, the pater did that hed better stay in New York and look after the American agency himself for awhile. And weve been here ever since. Last summer we decided that Id better go to school somewhere. The pater wanted me to go back to the other side and enter Rugby, but I rather fancied staying over here; so I found out about American schools, and when some one told me that Hillton generally turned out the best eights I decided to go there. Dick displayed interest.
Do you row? he asked almost eagerly.
Ive rowed a little when Ive had a chance, which hasnt been often. Americans dont seem to do much that way. When I was a little chap I was a good bit of a wetbob, and was on the water a good deal. The pater taught me all I know when I was about twelve; he rowed stroke two years in the Cambridge boat.
Well, I hope youll try for the crew, answered Dick, with kindly condescension. We want all the candidates we can get; and even if you dont make the varsity boat this spring, theres the second; and youd have a good show for next year.
Thanks, replied Trevor calmly; Id made up my mind to have a try for it. I rather fancy Ill make the varsity.
Dick stared. Such confidence staggered him, and he tried to detect amusement on the others countenance. But his new roommate was staring seriously into the flames, for all the world, Dick thought, as if he were trying to decide whether to accept the place at bow or stroke. Trevor swung himself from the chair arm and tried to wrap his dressing-gown closer about him.
Well, I fancy Id better get that luggage out of the way. I didnt want to unpack until you came and could tell me where to put the things. Ive got a few pictures and some books, you know.
You can have either side of the study you want, answered Dick. I was alone and so I stuck my things all round. If you like Ill take my stuff off that wall there.
Oh, but I say, expostulated the other, dont do that. Youve got the den looking so jolly nice it would be too bad to spoil it by taking anything down. Ill just stick one or two of my chromo things where theres room. I never was much at fixing up; my den always looks like a bally stable.
He passed into the bedroom and Dick heard him pulling at knots and straps and between whiles whistling a lugubrious tune that sounded all flats. Dick spread his feet apart comfortably, thrust his hands into his pockets and smiled at the fire; Nesbitts cock-suredness was truly delightful! He fancied hed make the varsity! Dicks grin enlarged and he chuckled softly. He almost wished that it wasnt necessary for him to dislike his new roommate; there was something about the boy, possibly his placid assurance, that appealed to him. But and Dicks smile froze again it wouldnt do for him to even appear to countenance such escapades and er cheekiness as Nesbitt had indulged in that afternoon. The youngster he was Dicks junior by a year must be taught that at Hillton fun is one thing and
Dicks reverie was interrupted by the subject, who appeared with a bunch of photographs in his hand.
Do you mind if I put a couple of these on the mantel?
Certainly not; its half yours, of course.
The tone was very chilly, and Trevors cheeks flushed slightly as he arranged the pictures behind the army of mugs. He started away and then came back again, and, taking a photograph from its place, looked hesitatingly at Dick, who was apparently supremely indifferent to his presence.
Thats the pater, he said finally, holding out the card, and speaking a little wistfully. Dick took the picture. It showed a middle-aged man, rather military looking, in riding clothes; a fine, handsome chap, Dick thought, and, having no quarrel with Trevors father, he said so:
Hes awfully good-looking, Nesbitt.
Trevor took the photograph and observed it a moment with smiling eyes ere he placed it back on the mantel. He was evidently monstrously proud of his father; but he only replied with elaborate indifference:
Hes rather a good sort, the pater. He took the rest of the pictures down and held them out. Heres some more if you care to see them. Dick pretended to smother a yawn. Thanks, he said.
Im not boring you? asked Trevor apologetically.
No, indeed. Dick was looking at the likeness of an elderly woman in a high lace cap. Not your mother, is it?
No, that is my Aunt Grace; she lives in Manchester. I havent a picture of the mater here; we have only one, and the pater keeps that. She she died when I was quite a youngster.
Oh, said Dick softly. Im sorry. Mothers are well, I wouldnt want to lose mine, Nesbitt.
I fancy not. We the pater and I were awfully cut up when the mater died. Thats a cousin of mine; hes at Rugby.
The picture showed a stolid-looking boy with decidedly heavy features attired in flannels and leaning with studied carelessness on a cricket bat. It was typically English, Dick thought as he laid it aside. A photograph with Maud scrawled across the bottom in high angular characters showed a conscious-looking young lady of eighteen or nineteen years simpering from a latticed doorway. Thats Cousin Maud, explained Trevor; shes engaged to a lieutenant of engineers in South Africa; shes a jolly nice girl. When Dick had seen the last of the photographs Trevor rearranged them on the mantel, and while he was doing so there came a knock at the study door, followed by the entrance of a youth in a long ulster on which the snowflakes were melting.
Hello, Earle, come in! cried Dick, arising and shaking hands with the newcomer. Wheres Carl?
Stewart Earle, a slim, bright-faced boy of apparently fourteen years of age, shook the flakes from his coat and drew a note from his pocket.
He couldnt come over, Hope, so he asked me to bring this to you. I had to come over to the library. Its snowing like all get out.
Dick took the note and ran his eyes over it. The little creases deepened on his forehead as he tossed it onto the table. Take off your coat, Earle, and sit down. By the way, do you know Nesbitt? And as the two shook hands, Nesbitts going to share these quarters with me.
Cant stay, answered Earle, for Ive got an hours work looking up some silly stuff about some silly Grecian war. Youre looking awfully fit, Hope.
So are you, laughed Dick. You dont look at all like the pasty-faced little junior of two years back.
I dont feel like him, either, answered Stewart with a smile. Shall I say anything to Carl?
I dont feel like him, either, answered Stewart with a smile. Shall I say anything to Carl?
Yes, tell him Im awfully much obliged, and that Ill look him up to-morrow if I dont meet him at recitation. Good-night; sorry you wont stay.
When the door had closed again Dick took up the note and reread it.
Dear Dick (it ran), Wheels has sent for me to go over to his house this evening; something about the indoor meeting. So I shant be able to see you to-night. What I was going to tell you was that Taylors been trying to raise trouble on the quiet with the crew fellows. He says we cant turn out a crew that will stand any show of winning, and is trying to discourage the fellows. Ill tell you more when I see you to-morrow. Stewarts going to take this over to you.
Yours in a hurry,Carl.P. S. Somebody ought to punch Taylors head hard.
Dick smiled as he tore up the missive, and then frowned. It was what he might have expected of Taylor, he told himself, and yet it was a bit discouraging. However, there was no use in meeting trouble half-way. He got a book and settled himself to study. In the bedroom Trevor was still distributing his belongings, and still whistling his tuneless air. When bedtime came Dick was silent and preoccupied, a fact which Trevor noticed.
Hope you havent had bad news, the latter said.
Oh, no, answered Dick, nothing to hurt.
Trevor turned out the gas and climbed into bed.
Good-night, he said.
Good-night, answered Dick.
For a long time the latter lay staring into the darkness thinking of Carl Grays note, and of Roy Taylor, and of Trevor Nesbitt; a good deal of Trevor. And the more he thought, the less satisfied with himself he became. His last thought as he turned over on his pillow and closed his eyes was that he had behaved like a particularly disagreeable prig.
CHAPTER IV
IN THE GYM
Trevor left the dressing-room and climbed the stairs to the running track. The gymnasium was quiet and filled with the twilight of a winter afternoon. It was but a few minutes after three, and, save for a youth who was heroically exercising with the weights, the building appeared deserted. But as he reached the head of the stairs the soft pat of shoes on the boards greeted him, and he stepped aside to let a lithe runner jog past. He recognized him as Stewart Earle, the boy who had brought the message to Dick Hope the night before, and when he next passed he nodded.
Hello, answered Stewart as he slowed down a little, I didnt recognize you. Awfully dark to-day, isnt it?
Beastly, responded Trevor. Then, with a glance at the big clock he started into a slow jog, lifting his feet high and stretching his muscles, that were somewhat stiffened by a weeks idleness. A flood of subdued white light bathed the track from the big north window, and as he passed he could hear the soft swir of the snowflakes against the glass. It had been snowing all night and all day, and showed as yet no sign of abatement. The broad skylights in the roof were covered deeply, and looked from beneath like sheets of lead.
The boy at the weights stopped and disappeared into the dressing-room. Perhaps he found it lonely work there all by himself. The pat of the runners shoes alone broke the stillness. Trevor took his pace from Stewart, and for some time the two circled the track. It was twenty-four laps to the mile, and when he had accomplished that distance Trevor went down and put in several minutes with the weights. Several other boys had entered meanwhile, and were changing outdoor clothing for gymnasium suits. When he had rubbed himself dry after a shower bath, Trevor took a seat by Stewart and began to dress leisurely.
Do you run much? he asked.
Yes; that is, I try. I did a mile and a half to-day. Im going to try for the two hundred and twenty yards at the indoor meet.
Why, so am I, answered Trevor. Stewart grimaced.
I guess its all up with me, then, he said ruefully. They say youre a dandy sprinter.
Oh, Im not much. I suppose there are lots of entries, eh?
Only about sixteen, I think. Youre one of the upper middle relay team, arent you?
Yes, Im to run last, I believe. I hope we beat the seniors, laughed Trevor.
I guess Ive got more reason to want to win than you, responded Stewart. My father and mother are coming up for the meet. We live in Poughkeepsie, you know; Id like awfully to win that two-twenty, but I guess I wont.
Well, I dont think you need be afraid of me, said Trevor; I feel rather rusty to-day. Fact is, you know, Im a bit too heavy on my legs for sprints, I fancy. I think Ill chuck it after Saturday night; Im going to try for the crew.
Are you? said Stewart admiringly. You look as though youd make a cracking good oar. I sometimes think Id like to try for the crew; perhaps I can year after next; Beck doesnt want me to now, he says.
Doesnt want you to? Do you mean hes forbid you?
N-no, he hasnt forbidden me; but I always do as he tells me. You see Stewart paused in the middle of a struggle with a white sweater Becks done all sorts of things for me. Why, when I came here a year ago last fall I only weighed about eighty pounds; I was always tired, and didnt have any any ambition for anything; used to sit in my room and read. Of course theres no harm in reading, but I didnt seem to do anything else; Gray I room with him over in the village Gray used to call me the White Mouse. I guess I was a pretty poor-looking youngster. Well, Professor Beck got hold of me one day and induced me to take up a course of training; of course Id been doing my two days a week here at the weights and things, but I always shirked and got tired, and it never did me any good, I guess. But Beck made me take walks, wouldnt let me eat anything but what was on a list he gave me, and put me at weights. Finally he got me to try jumping, and then running. I liked running right away. First thing I knew I couldnt get enough to eat, it seemed; used to be hungry every meal. Then I entered the four hundred and forty yards last winter at the indoor meeting and came in second. After that I couldnt run enough. I won the four hundred and forty at the handicap meet in the spring, and wanted to go to the Interscholastic Meet, only Beck said Id better wait until this year. Of course Im not a Samson yet, but Im about two hundred per cent better than I was a year or so ago. And and Beck did it. And thats why I do what he says.
I see, answered Trevor. Well, Beck knows his business. You look about as fit as any chap Ive seen here, and I dont blame you for giving under to him. By the way, Grays the baseball captain, isnt he? Rather tall, thin chap?
Yes, hes awfully smart, regular jack-of-all-trades. He used to do stunts for the fellows, like mend golf clubs and cricket bats, and mold golf balls and things, and made pretty near enough money last year to pay his board and room rent. But he got the Carmichael scholarship last winter, and so he doesnt do much of that sort this term. This is his second year as captain of the nine, and I guess he could be captain again if he was going to be here, but he goes up to college next fall. He hes been a hes been awfully kind to me ever since I came here. Stewart glanced rather apologetically at Trevor, doubtful as to whether he would feel a schoolboys contempt for the trace of feeling that he had unintentionally allowed to creep into his tones. But Trevor smiled understandingly.