"I don't pretend to know anything about 'em," protested Dick, stoutly, "and care less. But this I do know, that, among most men, success counts for more than endeavor, and I am willing to bet that it is four times as much so with women." "And I know this," said Hudson, "that you, on your own confession, don't know what you are talking about, and are in a beastly humor. You need exercise; come on over to Fresh Pond and go skating." "Yes, do take him off," sighed Rattleton; "when he and Hol and Gray get theorizing it gives everybody a headache. They'll go around to the Pud. and keep it up there if you don't take them skating." Stoughton replied to this by kicking the hind legs of Rattleton's carefully balanced chair, and upsetting him on top of the dog Blathers. After which exchange of courtesies the party adjourned, arranging to meet and go to Fresh Pond at three. Holworthy did not join the skating party; he had promised to go for a walk with his chum Rivers. Gray also had some engagement. As the others were starting out with their skates, they met the latter little gentleman arrayed in his best. He tried to pretend that he didn't see them. They promptly set up a cheer and began ostentatiously making snow-balls. "Didn't you say something at lunch about men in New York who made impertinent remarks about your clothes," demanded Gray of Stoughton. "This isn't New York," answered Stoughton. "When a man puts on all his feathers and paint on a week day in Cambridge, we know he is on the war-path." "Dog his trail, dog his trail," yelled Hudson. "Let's see what wigwam it leads to." "Doesn't he look pretty?" shouted Burleigh. "Only his coat doesn't fit in the back." "Look at that smooch on his collar," exclaimed Randolph. "I hope you children will grow up sometime," grumbled Gray, as he hurried on. An hour or two afterwards Gray was walking into Boston in very good company. The new Harvard Bridge was not then built, and the two (yes, only one other) were passing through one of the more lonely streets of Cambridgeport that lead to the Cottage Farms bridge. A hard-looking citizen turned a corner ahead of them, and on catching sight of the pair stopped with some insulting remark. Gray's blood boiled into his face, but he had sense enough to cross to the other side of the street with his convoy. The man, evidently in liquor, promptly did the same, and showed that he meant to give trouble. "Run back as fast as you can to Main Street," said Gray to his companion, upon which advice she wisely and quickly acted. The rough started forward, and Gray placed himself in the middle of the path. "Hold on," he commanded. "Don't come a step nearer." "Get out of my way, you little dude, before I eat you up," answered the other.