“He’s been ‘so――so’ ever since I first knew him,” said Peaches, harshly. “He’s been trying to make ‘society’ here right along. He and that side-kick of his, Stearns. Either of ’em would lick my boot if I’d asked ’em home for a week-end!” Barry looked decidedly shocked and shook his head in remonstrance. “Let me tell you something,” pursued Peaches. “The day you landed here and I saw you were under Allen’s thumb I made up my mind to――well, get you out. You seemed a decent chap and worth saving. That’s why I sort of haunted you for a day or two. I could see that you didn’t quite approve of me and wondered why I didn’t mind my own business.” “I didn’t, really!” said Barry, earnestly. “I mean I didn’t wonder.” “Anyway, you were perfectly polite,” chuckled Peaches. “Not that it would have mattered to me if you hadn’t been. I’d have persisted in my――may I say crusade? There were times when I was discouraged. I acknowledge it. There were times when it seemed that Allen’s――let’s see――domination was too much for me. And then the Major kidnapped you for football and I could see a rift in the clouds. Several times after that you showed a disposition――oh, faint, I own!――to act on your own initiative and think for yourself. I began to have hopes for you, Barry; I really did. But now――well, now you’re trying to have a relapse.” “It was very nice of you to interest yourself in me,” said Barry, rather stiffly. Apparently he had not heard much of the latter part of the discourse. “I’m afraid you’ve been badly bored at times.” Peaches regarded him questioningly. Then, however, he smiled. “Oh, well, I see what you mean, Barry. But you’re quite mistaken, and I guess you know it. If you must have it, Mister Hoity-Toity, I have long since fallen victim to your manly charms and――er――sterling character.” “Shut up!” growled Barry. But he grinned, too. Then, hurriedly: “That’s all right,” he went on, “but what am I going to do? I told Clyde I’d see the Major and try――try to resign!” “See him, then,” said Peaches. “Only, my young friend, don’t lie to him.” Barry sighed. “I don’t want to lie, Peaches, only――well――gee!――what can I say?” Peaches shrugged. “Tell him you’ve decided to quit. If he asks you why, say it’s none of his business.” “Thanks,” muttered Barry, with deep sarcasm. Then, after a moment’s silence: “Look here; how’d you know Clyde wanted me to quit? I didn’t tell you that.” Peaches viewed him pityingly.