“Well, sir?” The slim youth dropped his hands from their belligerent attitude and faced John, issuing the challenge with ill-concealed annoyance. “You’re Mr. Phillip Ryerson, I fancy?” said John. “Yes, sir; what then?” “Why, I must apologize for interrupting you. My name――――” “I reckon you’re a proctor,” interrupted the other brusquely. “I’m very busy just at present, and so, if there’s anything more I can do for you, please tell me. If not――――” He glanced toward the door. The expressman shuffled uneasily and looked tentatively at his coat and vest. John sank onto a trunk and allowed an appreciative smile to creep into his face. Really, little Phillip wasn’t so bad! “I’m glad he doesn’t mistake me for the Dean,” he thought, “or he would be throwing me out the window! “Why, there is something more you can do for me,” he said aloud, “but it can wait. Pray don’t let my presence interfere with the meeting; I have always taken great interest in the manly art. Perhaps I can hold the watch for you?” The slim youth’s eyes sparkled dangerously and the crimson disks spread. “Perhaps you would care to take the place of this――ah――gentleman, sir?” he asked with elaborate courtesy. John applauded silently. But, “No,” he said, with a regretful shake of his head, “unfortunately I can’t accept your kind invitation. Some other time, perhaps.” “But if I insist that you either do so or leave my room?” continued the other, his anger getting the better of his polite tones. John shrugged his shoulders. The expressman was getting into his coat, growling loudly. “I shall get out,” John replied frankly, smiling into the boy’s angry face. “But before that,” he went on, “let us have a few minutes of conversation. Afterward, if you still persist, I will leave without being dropped from the window.” The other, suddenly realizing that John was at least fifty pounds heavier and very much stronger, scented sarcasm and grew more incensed. “I can’t imagine what you may have to say, sir, but I――” he pronounced it _Ah_――“assure you that I have no desire to hear a word of it. You will oblige me by quitting my room.” “Say,” interrupted the expressman, “do I get paid for that trunk or don’t I?” “Yes, you do,” answered his late adversary. “You get fifty cents for bringing it out from Boston, but you don’t get anything for toting it upstairs.” “All right, give me the fifty. Gee, I’ve wasted a quarter of an hour here now; I could have made another fifty in that time.” “You acknowledge, then, do you, that you had no right to ask an extra fee for bringing it upstairs?” “Aw, what yer givin’ us? I ain’t askin’ for it, am I?” He turned to John and with difficulty winked his eye slyly. “I guess I got a quarter’s worth, eh?” “You look as though you had,” replied John gravely. “You can go now,” said the host. “Aw, is that so?” growled the expressman. “And here’s your money.” He handed the other a crisp dollar bill.