And Dick promised and went off laggingly to the task. He found Taylor in his room in a boarding-house in the village. He was stretched out on a couch reading when Dick entered in response to a loud “Come in.” He appeared surprised when he looked up and saw who his visitor was, but rose to the demands of the occasion. “Hello, Hope, glad to see you. Sit down. Been ice-yachting lately?” Dick replied gravely that he had not, and then heroically plunged into the subject of his visit. “Look here, Taylor,” he said, “I wish you’d try to be a little more careful about training. You missed work again to-day. This makes the third time it’s happened in the last two weeks. Can’t you do better than that?” Taylor frowned and yawned lazily before he answered. “I’m glad you’ve mentioned it, Hope. The fact is, I’ve been thinking about chucking it. I can’t see how I’m going to go in for rowing this year and hope to pass spring exams. That’s what the trouble is, old chap. I’ve been digging hard all afternoon”--adding, as he saw Dick glance at the magazine in his hands--“just this minute laid my Greek aside and took up this to--er--ease my brain.” He stopped and smiled amiably across. Dick frowned. “That’s nonsense, Taylor, and you know it,” he said in low tones. “Nonsense!” Taylor raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Yes, nonsense. You can’t convince me that you’re so stupid as not to be able to train for the crew and get through with your studies. There are lots of fellows doing it; always have done it. I’m doing it myself; Crocker’s doing it; so’s Milton and Arnold and lots of fellows; they’re all in in our class; I haven’t heard them say that they were afraid of not passing.” “Well, that may be,” replied Taylor, “but it’s a question that every fellow must decide for himself. I honestly don’t think I ought to keep up crew work; I’ve got my folks to think of, you know; they didn’t send me to school here to row or play football or anything of that sort--that is, not that alone. I’ve got to pass, and to do that I’ve got to study. If I’m not as smart and clever as some of the rest of you”--here there was a trace of a sneer--“I can’t help it; a fellow’s what he is, you know.” Dick experienced an intense desire to kick his host and tell him what he thought of him. But instead he smiled conciliatingly. “I think you’re underestimating your ability, Taylor. Like a good fellow, get those notions out of your head and come back to work; do your best for the crew; it’s your last year. You know what shape we’re in; we haven’t anywhere near the material we ought to have. Confound it, Taylor, you’ve got to stay in the boat! You can’t do anything else, when you stop and think how your leaving will weaken us!” A smile of pleased vanity crossed the other boy’s face. Then he shook his head resolutely.