“All right; you needn’t apologize. Now, about last night. As I was saying, you can get drunk pretty often, if you want to, without being any worse than some other fellows in college who are well liked and respected. But it won’t do you a speck of good, Phil, not a speck. And life is such a short track at the most that I don’t believe a fellow has time to do negative things. The mere fact that a thing’s not going to harm you doesn’t make it worth doing; stick to the things that will produce some good, that will better you if only a little. After all, it isn’t especially necessary to get drunk. I don’t believe that a fellow who drinks more than is good for him is any manlier than the fellow who doesn’t. Besides, it’s an expensive habit, drinking.” “It is,” agreed Phillip dolefully. “Well?” “Oh, I’ve quit, John; honestly! Last night was enough. I hate to see other fellows make beasts of themselves and I hate to think that I’ve gone and done it myself. I don’t mean that I’m going to become a total abstainer, for I don’t think that’s necessary, do you? We have always had wine on the table at home and――and I’ve never thought much about it. Down our way we ride hard and drink the same way. But I think you’re right about it, John, and――and I’m going to take mighty good care that it doesn’t happen again.” “All right, Phil. By the way, have you heard from your folks lately?” “Yes, I had a letter Friday.” “All well, I hope?” “Yes; except mamma. You know she’s right poorly all the time.” “I beg your pardon; I’d forgotten.” “Margey wrote that they were both counting the days until Christmas. I’m beginning to look forward to going home, too.” “Yes. I wish my folks were going to be at home for Christmas. A fellow feels rather out of it if he can’t spend Christmas by his own fireside. As it is, I suppose I’ll go home with Davy for a few days.” “I wish you’d come with me,” cried Phillip, eagerly. “Thanks; that’s awfully nice of you. But I don’t believe a chap’s folks care very much about having strangers around at Christmas.” “Why, mamma and Margey would be awfully pleased,” declared Phillip. “I wish you would come. Of course, we’re not so swell as David, I reckon, but I could show you a good time. We could get up a fox hunt, and maybe there’d be some partridges left. Will you?” “Hm; you tempt me sorely, my child. But―――― Well, we’ll think it over.” “I’m sure there’ll be some birds,” continued Phillip, “for Margey wrote that Nate Willis was staying there for a few days and that he’d had good shooting.” “Who’s Nate Willis, may I ask?” “Nate? Well, he’s one of the Richmond Willises, you know.” “Indeed? And am I to presume from that that he’s a person of family and prominence?” “Yes, I reckon so. We’re related in some way; mamma knows.” “And is――er――is he a frequent caller at your place?” “Oh, he comes up right often.”