"The shower-bath." "Shower--I didn't order a shower-bath!" "No; but we aim to make it as pleasant for you as we can." "If there is anything I abhor, it's a shower-bath!" exclaimed the athlete. "You just got to have one. Mr. Fresno said all this gymnasium lacked was a shower-bath, a pair of scales, and a bulletin-board. He said you'd sure need a bath after workin' that chest- developer. We ain't got no scales, nor no board, but we'll toggle up some sort of a bath for you. The blacksmith's makin' a squirter to go on the bar'l." "Very well, put it wherever you wish. I sha'n't use it." "I wouldn't overlook nothin', if I was you," said Willie, in even milder tones than Stover had used. "You overwhelm me with these little attentions," retorted Mr. Speed. "Where you goin' to run to-day?" inquired the first speaker. "I don't know. Why?" "We thought you might do a hundred yards agin time." "Nix!" interposed Glass, hurriedly. "I can't let him overdo at the start. Besides, we ain't got no stop-watch." "I got a reg'lar watch," said Willie, "and I can catch you pretty close. We'd admire to see you travel some, Mr. Speed." But Glass vowed that he was in charge of his protege's health, and would not permit it. Once outside, however, he exclaimed: "That's more of Fresno's work, Wally! I tell you, he's Jerry. He'll rib them pirates to clock you, and if they do--well, you'd better keep runnin', that's all." "You can do me a favor," said Speed. "Buy that watch." "There's other watches on the farm." "Buy them all, and bring me the bill." Before setting out on his daily grind, Speed announced to his trainer that he had decided to take him along for company, and when that corpulent gentleman rebelled on the ground that the day was too sultry, his employer would have none of it, so together they trotted away later in the morning, Speed in his silken suit, Glass running flat-footed and with great effort. But once safely hidden from view, they dropped into a walk, and selecting a favorable resting-place, paused. Speed lighted a cigarette, Glass produced a deck of cards from his pocket, and they played seven- up. Having covered five miles in this exhausting fashion, they returned to the ranch in time for luncheon. Both ate heartily, for the exercise had agreed with them. CHAPTER VIII