“Must be plugging hard. You missed lots of fun last night. Party of us went down to the Monumental. Hot show there this week. Say, there are actually some pretty girls in the bunch. One is a peach.” “Oh, they give me lassitude!” retorted Fillmore. “They’re too cheap. Picked out of the slums. When you get to talking with ’em, and see just how coarse they are they make you sick. I’ve been seeing something more interesting. Speaking of dark-eyed girls, I’d like to show you one stopping over at my sister’s, where I board.” “What’s that?” cried Hackett. “Ah! so that’s why you’ve been under cover lately! Ah-ha! The cat is out!” “I suppose that has had something to do with it,” admitted the captain of the lacrosse team honestly. “This one is something entirely different from the kind you were talking about. Better drop over and see her. There’s another one there, a blonde; but she’s been ill, and she’s far from well now. The brunette and the blonde are great friends. The blonde is some distant relative of John Loder, my sister’s husband. I should say she ought to be a daisy when she’s well, for she’s pretty now, although she hasn’t any color. Got a bad cold last winter and had to go South. The brunette went with her. They’re staying here in Baltimore until the weather gets settled so that the blonde can go farther North without danger.” “Oh, you sly dog!” laughed Hackett. “Supposed you were plugging, and you’ve been lingering near two pretty girls. Thought it strange you broke away so suddenly after practice the last few days. I suppose you’ll find time to play Saturday?” “You know I will. I’m not as far gone as that, although the black eyes of Inza have rather upset me.” “Inza—that’s her name?” “Yes. Hack, she’s the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. She’s a real queen, and no mistake. She’s cultured, and she’s traveled a great deal in this country and foreign lands. She’s so sympathetic, too. You should see how she cares for Elsie.” “Elsie—she’s the invalid?” “Yes. She’s a sort of invalid, although she won’t acknowledge it, and she’s the bravest little creature in the world. Inza told me that Elsie was very ill this winter, but she wouldn’t acknowledge it to any one. Just drop round to-morrow evening and I’ll present you to both girls, though I warn you not to get smashed on Inza. It won’t do any good, and it may make you uncomfortable.” “Oh, I see; you’re going to make a set for her yourself. Come, come, Fillmore! I didn’t think you’d go daft over any girl.” “Rot! I haven’t. It’s no use. I know better than that, old man. She’s good company, and I like her; but she is the kind to hold a fellow off and wither him with her eyes if he gets a bit fresh. I wouldn’t dare attempt to make love to her. I’d get a call quicker than lightning.”