“A touching picture of domestic felicity,” observed Peaches. “Might be entitled ‘Pals’ or――or――” “‘Toby and Tony,’” offered Barry. “Or ‘Two souls with but a Single Croak’ or something. What’s he doing, Toby? Trying to hypnotize you?” “He isn’t looking at me,” answered Toby, with dignity. “He’s looking at the light. One night there was a mosquito up there.” “And he hasn’t forgotten? Marvelous example of brute intelligence! He’s a patient animal, isn’t he? Does he――er――stay there all night and guard your couch? Now, what was it Professor N. B. Brown said about――” “Give me my six dollars and get out of here!” growled Toby, threateningly raising the ponderous book on his knees. “Say, what did you want that for, anyway? And, say, where were you last night? Why――” “Here’s your money, old son, and many thanks. Better put it where it’ll be safe, for I may want to borrow it again some day. You’ll observe that it’s all in greenbacks, Toby. Thoughtful of me; what?” “How do you mean greenbacks?” asked Toby, suspiciously. “Why, greenbacks――frogs―― Oh, what’s the use? Come on, Barry!” “His back’s not green!” Toby’s triumphant voice pursued them past the closed portal. “It’s brown!” There was fine news of Mr. Benjy, the next morning. Whether or not because of Davy’s coming, he had slept almost all night and was asking for breakfast, Betty informed the boys. And he seemed quite like himself and declared that he would be going back to the office the following day. Barry’s hope of getting into the Springfield game was diminished that Friday afternoon. It was the custom to excuse those who were to be called on in the Saturday game from anything save the lightest practice, and Barry was not one of the favored. While he did not take part in the brief scrimmage between two patched-up teams that ended the session, he worked out with Ike Boardman’s squad during signal-practice and did a lot of punting. All of which signified that the Major was not considering him as a serious contender against Springfield. Clyde was almost like the old Clyde that afternoon, and seemed anxious to have Barry forget what had occurred in Number 42 a few nights before. He didn’t refer to that occasion, but he left Hal Stearns and Goof Ellingham once, to squeeze in beside Barry on the bench, and evidently tried hard to be agreeable. Barry went back to the Lyles’ through the dusk of a cold November evening, feeling very happy over Clyde’s affability and just a little disappointed because he was not to have any generous part in the morrow’s game. Of course the Major might use him before the fracas was done, but Barry, who had by now become an enthusiastic player, wanted action and lots of it! On their way to supper Peaches confided to Barry that Davy had become obstreperous and was going to stay until Monday.