That night he made it a point to speak to Billie, while the latter hung on the outskirts of the crowd of athletes, and Billie was, of course, overjoyed to be spoken to by a college man, for he was only in his third year in prep. school, and considered a collegian a kind of demigod. "Are you one of the athletes?" inquired Billie. "I'm one of the Yale men," said the Codfish feeling his chest expand. Billie jumped to the conclusion that he was one of the competitors, and was duly elated at the fortunate acquaintance. "Gee whiz, I'm glad to know you. I'm going down to Yale myself next year if I get through my exams. Should have been there this year but flub-dubbed the exams. Dad says if I don't make it next year it's good-night for mine." "Stick to it, stick to it, my boy! A college life is a great thing,--training of the mind, associations, mental and physical development and all that sort of thing." As he talked he led the way up the deck in the direction of the Hasbrouck family chairs. The Codfish shot a look out of his eye and observed the object of his search, the fair Marjorie. But the expected didn't happen. Billie, glorying in the companionship of a Yale man and a member of the great team of athletes, led his new-found friend up and down the deck half a dozen times to let the full weight of its significance sink into the family. Getting impatient at last, and tired of the walking, the Codfish said: "Seems to me I've seen you and your sister before somewhere. Perhaps it was down at the game last fall." "Wish I had been there, but nothing doing! Just at that time I got into trouble at school and the Pater shut down on me. Beastly luck. But, say, Mr.-- Mr.----" "Gleason." "Mr. Gleason, won't you come and meet the family? Sis will be delighted to know a Yale man." Thus came the Codfish to the Hasbrouck family, where, being properly presented, he bowed low and with supreme dignity. When Marjorie offered him her hand he held it a trifle overtime and looked unspeakable things. "What is your specialty, Mr. Gleason?" inquired Mrs. Hasbrouck. "O, a little of everything," said the Codfish noncommittally. "O, isn't that lovely," cried Marjorie. "He does everything!" "Well, I try a few things," struggling to produce a modest smile and with indifferent success. "Tell us about Yale, Mr. Gleason," said Mrs. Hasbrouck. "I'm so sorry John isn't here because William is going down to Yale next year, I hope. I went to a game there years ago, a football game I think it was, in June----" "Baseball, I think," corrected Billie. "They don't play football in June." "Well, baseball then. I thought it a wonderful place."