“I was,” said Barry. “I thought you were――well, sort of poor. Now I find you’ve got slathers of coin.” “Not me,” said Peaches. “Dad has quite a roll, I believe, but I worry along on a mere pittance. Still, anything up to three or four dollars――” “I’m not trying to borrow money, you chump!” retorted Barry. Peaches chuckled. “Then why all the prologue? You’re wasting a mighty good introduction.” “Why didn’t you tell me about your folks?” demanded Barry, sternly. “I thought you were poor. I was talking about rich fellows a while back, and saying perfectly insulting things, for all I remember, and you just let me go on and never said a word about being one of them!” Peaches shrugged. “Why should I? If you had asked me I’d have confessed the dreadful truth, but you didn’t. We both agreed that a fellow had no right to take credit for his parents, didn’t we?” “Well, but――oh, all right! Just the same, I felt a perfect ass when Betty spoke about your folks being wealthy. I thought she was crazy.” “How come I was the subject of discourse?” “I forget. Oh! I asked where you were and――and we just got talking about you. Betty was trying to tell me what a wonder you were and, of course, I couldn’t see it.” “Humph!” grunted Peaches. “I’d be ashamed to own up to such lack of discernment. I don’t know where Betty got her idea, but I’m sure it’s right.” “Fishing!” laughed Barry. “Well, I’m not going to tell you. She did say, though, you had been nice about that brother of hers. She told me all about how you helped him get away too. Gee! if I wanted to go to the police and tell what I know about you――” “She hasn’t seen him?” asked Peaches, eagerly. “Seen him?” “Well, I thought maybe―― The fact is, he hasn’t written for nearly two weeks, and I didn’t know but that he had shown up here. You know he addresses his letters to me and I hand them over to his folks. He’s crazy to come back here yet, though, I guess.” “I don’t believe he has,” said Barry. “She didn’t say anything about that, anyway. Say, where have you been since dinner? I wanted to see you about something.” “Oh, I stopped in to see Billy Bassett. What’s on your mind?” “Well,” began Barry, slowly. Then he stopped and, after a moment, began again: “I sort of wanted your advice, Peaches.” Peaches nodded. “I’m flattered, Barry. About which?” “Football.” Peaches looked dubious. “Well, of course, Barry, football isn’t exactly a subject――” “About resigning from the team, I mean. Do you think the Major would――would be willing?” CHAPTER XIV BARRY SEEKS ADVICE After a moment’s silence Peaches asked soberly: “What’s happened?” Barry looked out of the window. “I just decided I’d better quit,” he replied, elaborately casual. “It’s pretty strenuous, for one thing; and then I’m not doing awfully well with Latin and――well, I just thought it would be the wisest thing, Peaches.”