His patent leathers were in a decidedly shabby condition and cracked over the instep, but his brown and green check suit, the yellow tie and the new panama with the purple and white band were irreproachably _bon ton_. He stood a moment supporting himself on a light bamboo cane, contemplating his dress suit-case, which he acknowledged was not up to form. Not only had the straps rotted away, but there were strange depressions and bulges in it due to the Waladoo Bird's two hundred and twenty pounds having fallen upon it. Furthermore, it was stained with the marks of a root beer orgy and Snorky Green's mistaken efforts to remove the same stains with a pumice stone. Skippy after a moment's deliberation, decided not to insult the hackman with an offer of seven cents and having consigned the unspeakable bag to the truckman proceeded on foot twirling his cane and trying to appear unaware of the admiration of the villagers who were particularly impressed by his perfect pants. The Bedelle homestead was a large ornamental, turreted and bastioned mansion, consonant with Mr. Bedelle's increasing prosperity and Mrs. Bedelle's social importance. "Gee, the Governor certainly ought to stand for a raise," said Skippy to himself, with a proper appreciation of the velvety lawns, the flower gardens and the green and white stables. Then he remembered the none too brilliant record of the scholastic year which was sure to come up for discussion and fell into a sudden despondency. CHAPTER XXII GIRLS AS AN EPIDEMIC AS he turned up the walk, sister No. 2, aged fourteen and a half, came romping off the porch and the following conversation took place. "Hello, Jack." "Hello, Tootsie." "You idiotic boy, why didn't you telegraph?" "What's the use? I'm here," said Skippy to whom a quarter of a dollar was an object of reverence. "Aren't you going to kiss me?" Skippy glanced around. "Oh, I suppose so." "Good gracious, he's got a cane!" "Say, who let you put your hair up anyhow!" "I'm fifteen." "Come off." "I say, Jack, awful glad to see you, honest, and let's stop fighting this summer. You help me and I'll help you." Skippy looked at her suspiciously. "Getting on society airs," he thought, but out loud he announced: "All right, Tootsie, but see you don't begin. And if you want to help out, tell the Governor to make my birthday present in cash. I'm awfully strapped." "Now for old Clara," he said to himself and remembering the last encounter when he had upset the gold fish over her, he braced himself for the shock. But to his profound amazement Miss Bedelle was honey itself. "Good gracious, Jack, how big you've grown," she said after he had submitted to the second sisterly embrace, "and such style, too! What a fascinating tie! Dad and mother are out but Sam's just home. Come on up and see how nicely I've arranged your room. How are you anyhow?" "Hard up," said Skippy instantly.