“Hello, Johnnie! When’d you get back?” “Half-hour ago. Come up.” “Can’t.” Laurence Baker removed the straw hat and, holding it by its broken rim, fanned his perspiring face. “I’m frightfully busy. My kid brother’s come up from Exeter and I’m helping him fix his room; he’s got a joint in Thayer. I’ve been running errands for the little brute all day. It’s carpet tacks this time, and a roll of picture wire.” He held up his purchases wearily for the other’s inspection. John grinned. “Poor old Larry!” he said, sympathetically. “You’ll have to settle down now and behave yourself; younger brothers, especially Freshies, are the very deuce for looking after you.” “You talk as though you had slathers of ’em,” retorted Larry. “No, thank heaven, I’m no one’s guardian. But I know what’s in store for you, poor devil! By the way, I’ve got a couple of seats for the Hollis Street to-night; will you?” Larry shook his head disconsolately. “Wish I could, but――er――I promised Chester I’d take him to call on some folks in town.” John grinned again. “Well, don’t let me interfere with your duties, Larry,” he said, shaking his head gravely. “Shut up! Has Davy got back?” “No; the beggar wrote me that he was coming to-day, but he hasn’t shown up. I daresay he’s fallen asleep and gone on to Watertown or Waverly, or some other of those places you read about.” “Wouldn’t be a bit surprised,” laughed the other. “When’s the table going to start?” “Oh, Monday, I guess. I’m going around there for dinner to-night. Coming?” “Don’t think so. We’ll probably eat in town. Can’t you come along?” “Maybe; if Davy doesn’t show up meanwhile.” “All right; meet us at the Touraine at seven. If you’re not there by a quarter after――――” “Don’t wait. It’ll mean that Davy has woke up in time to get back here. So long, Larry.” The other waved the package in his hand, replaced his hat and hurried across the street, finally disappearing around the corner of Gray’s. John looked after him with a broad smile. “Fancy Larry in the rôle of mentor to the young! Well――――” He stretched his arms over his head again, turned and surveyed the room. Recollecting his bag, he went to the door for it and returning caught sight of several letters on the floor. He gathered them up and went back to the window. Two of them proved to be circulars, one was a bill, a third was a note from the head football coach asking John to call on him, and the fourth bore the inscription, “Return after five days to Corliss & Groom, Washington, D. C.”