"He doesn't know it, but if it keeps on I'm going to tell him, and have him stiffen up the men. Ed Kerr's got to help, too. Bert Bascome is responsible for some of it. He's got lots of money, and he spends it. Then, with his auto, he's playing old bob with some of the fellows, taking them on joy rides, and keeping them out until, first they know, Zane will have them down on his list." "Oh, it's not as bad as that, I guess." "It isn't, eh? You just watch, that's all," and Tom kept moodily on to his room. On the table were three envelopes, one each for the captain, Sid and Phil. "What's up?" asked Phil. "I wonder if Ruth is going to have a blow-out again, or if Madge----" He opened his missive and began to read it, Tom already having perused his. "There, what did I tell you?" asked the captain. "Bascome is giving a dinner to-night, and he wants the whole 'varsity nine, and the subs, to attend. The little puppy! He gives himself as many airs as if he was a senior. Why doesn't he dine the freshman nine, if he has to blow in his money?" "Are you going?" asked Phil. "Going? Of course not, and none of the nine will, if they have to ask me. It will break them all up for the game to-morrow. I won't stand for it." "What will you do?" "Tell Leighton, and have him officially forbid it." "Isn't that going it pretty strong? We can easily beat Michigan, even if the fellows do have a little fun to-night." "Look how we were fooled on Dodville Prep. I'm going to take no chances. I'll see Leighton," which Tom did, with the effect that the coach kindly, but firmly, forbade members of the 'varsity nine from dissipating at Bascome's dinner. Sid came in a little later, picked up his invitation, and read it. "They say Bascome gives very fine spreads," was his remark. "You're not going, are you?" asked Tom in some surprise, for he likened Bascome to Langridge, though the latter was more of a bully, and he did not believe Sid would take up with the rich freshman. "Why shouldn't I go?" asked Sid, and there was challenge in his tone. "I might as well have the game as the name," and he laughed uneasily. "Why, none of the 'varsity nine are going," said Tom. "Oh," and Sid turned aside, as he put the invitation in his pocket. "Well, I'm not on the 'varsity any longer," and he laughed, but there was no mirth in it. CHAPTER XIX FAIRVIEW AND RANDALL Tom did not reply to Sid's almost sneering allusion to the unfortunate fact that he was barred from playing. There was little the captain could say, and when Sid went to Bascome's dinner, together with a number of the more sporty students, Tom and Phil, who were in bed, did not greet their chum on his return. "What's the matter with you fellows?" demanded Sid, as he entered the darkened room, and proceeded to get ready to retire. "You'd think I'd committed an unpardonable crime. It was a jolly crowd I was with, and nothing out of the way. Bascome isn't half bad, when you get to know him."