He could. As we rolled down the mountain into the ten-mile turnpike where he and I had rediscovered our youth, he concluded his discourse without missing an explosion. I knew his peroration by heart. "To end this painful matter, my dear, I shall ask you in future to accord me at least the civility, if not the respect, to which a hard-working man and a faithful husband is entitled. I speak in all kindliness when I say that I have decided to endure no more hazing. I hope you understand that I have made this decision for your sake as well as for mine, for the psychological effect of hazing is quite as harmful to the hazer as to the hazed. Please govern yourself accordingly." He opened the throttle wide, and we touched thirty-five miles. I felt a wild wabble in my steering-gear. I heard Todd's sharp command--"Kindly keep your hands off the wheel while I am driving." At the Mountain Dale Club Todd descended. "Will you come in and have a lemonade, my dear?" he asked. There was a heartbroken little squeak in his voice. "Thank you," she replied frigidly. "I have had all the acid I can assimilate in one pleasant day." "May I remind you," said he, stiffening with the gentle insistence of a steel spring, "that I am not to be addressed in sarcastic tones any longer?" The Mammoth slid up beside us. The stout John Quincy Burton at the wheel shouted jovially: "I tell you what, Todd, when our soberest university professors get the speed bug, I tremble for civilization!" My owner grinned with pleasure. "Mrs. Todd," said Burton, "after that trimming from your road-burning husband, I'll stand treat. Won't you join us?" "Yes, Mrs. Todd, do be persuaded," Mrs. Burton chimed in. "After twenty miles with your Barney Oldfield you need nourishment, I'm sure. You and I can talk about his recklessness while he and Mr. Burton have their little conference." If Todd had an appointment for a conference there at that hour with Burton, I am positive it was news to Mrs. Todd and me. I could feel her weight growing heavier on my cushion springs. "Thank you for the invitation," she replied, "but I am so badly shaken up, I prefer to sit out here." To which her husband added, laughingly: "She wouldn't risk having her new car stolen for anything." It was twilight before we started for home, the Burtons pulling out ahead of us. At the beginning of the climb over the mountain I saw the Mammoth stop. We drew alongside. "Out of gas, confound it," growled Burton, "and five miles from a service station!" "I'd lend you some, only I haven't much myself," said Todd. "Got a rope?" "Yes, but----" "Oh, we can. We can pull you and never know it. Hitch on behind. We like to travel in stylish company, Mrs. Todd and I." So we towed them over the mountain and left them at a red pump. John Quincy Burton's gratitude was immense. "The pleasure is all ours," Todd assured him. "But, say, old man!" "Well?"