Afterwards Kendall was very much surprised at himself, but now there was something about the caller that loosed Kendall’s tongue, and almost before he knew it he had confided the fact that he was on probation. Ned Tooker whistled softly. Then he smiled. “Burtis――by the way, what did you say your first name was when you asked me to call you by it?” “Kendall,” laughed the other. “Great!” exclaimed Ned. “Why don’t you do it oftener?” “Do what?” “Laugh. It’s very becoming.” “Why, I――I don’t know.” “Yes, you do; it’s because you’re a New Englander. You ought to practice laughing. I had to. Now I can do it almost without an effort. Where were we? Oh, yes, you said your name was Kendall. That’s a good name, Bendall Kurtis. Mine’s Ted Nook――no, I mean Ned Tooker. Call me Ned. I foresee that we’re going to be pals, Curt.” Kendall tried to think of something to say, and Ned came to his rescue: “I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking that I’m too blamed friendly. Oh, yes, you are! But don’t let it worry you. I used to be like you before I threw off the shackles of New England reserve. If I liked a fellow I threw bricks at him. Now if I like him I say so right out in my engaging manner and it saves time. But you haven’t told me yet what you did to get the Office down on you.” “I――I don’t believe I can,” said Kendall. “It isn’t my secret alone, you see.” “Dine and fandy!” cried Ned. “Curt, I love you! You not only have a sense of humor, but you possess a Great Secret. I’m positively daffy about secrets. Keep it to yourself as long as you can, but I give you fair warning that I’ll have it out of you sooner or later. I shall live for nothing else, Curt!” “Why do you call me Curt?” asked Kendall. “Why not? Your name is Bendall Kurtis――” “It’s Kendall Burtis,” answered the other with a smile. “I can’t say that. To me you are Bendall Kurtis; Curt for short; short and curt. What’s that I see? A football?” Kendall acknowledged that it was. “Oh, do you play?” “I was trying to when――” “When the sword fell. Football’s a good game. I’ve sometimes thought I had the making of a good player.” “Have you never tried?” “Oh, yes, many times, but the coaches didn’t share my estimate of my ability. Nowadays I’m reduced to golf――and a little tennis.” “I’ve never seen anyone play golf,” admitted Kendall. “You shall. Not only that, Curt, but I’ll make a golfer of you. I’ll teach you the game. What are you doing to-morrow? No, there’s a football game to-morrow. Then Monday?” “Why――why, nothing.” “First lesson at four promptly. You have no clubs, I suppose. Naturally you wouldn’t have. Very stupid of you, Ned. I’ll supply those necessary utensils.” “I don’t think I could ever learn,” said Kendall doubtfully. “You hit a ball around with a stick, don’t you?”