“Say, young lady, pass up the chilly stuff,” replied Sam with a laugh. “It don't go with that mighty fine complexion of yours. Say, did you ever see the leading lady in 'The Spider's Web'? Well, you make me think of her, and she was a peacherino. Never seen her? No? Well, you ought to see her some day and think of me.” Hazel turned a disgusted shoulder on Sam's impudent face and engaged Larry in vivacious conversation. “Well, I am off to the ball practice,” said Tom. “Got a match on Saturday--High School against the world. Guess they would like to have you, Sam, only I wouldn't care to have you play against us. You don't play baseball, eh?” continued Tom, addressing Larry. “What do you play--football?” “Not much; never tried much,” said Larry, flushing over his lack of sporting qualifications. “He plays the fiddle,” said a quiet little voice. Larry, flushing violently, turned around and saw a little, brown-faced maid gazing thoughtfully at him. “Oh, he does, eh? Ha, ha, ha. Good game, eh? Ha, ha, ha.” They all joined in the laugh. “And he plays the mouth organ, too, and does funny stunts,” sturdily continued the little girl, disdaining Tom's scornful laughter. “Good for you, Jane.” “Yes, and he passed his entrance to the High School a year ago when he was fourteen, in Ontario, anyway.” This appeared to check Tom's hilarity. “My, what a wonder he is! And did he tell you all this himself?” “No, indeed,” said Jane indignantly. “Oh, I am glad to hear that,” said Tom with a grin. “Won't you come along, Sam? It's only a little way down.” “All right,” said Sam cheerfully. “So long, folks. See you later, Larry. Au reservoir, young lady, as the camel said to the elephant when he asked what he'd have. Hope I see you later if not sooner--ta-ta; tinga-ling; honk honk.” Again he swept Miss Hazel an elaborate bow. “Thinks he's smart,” said that young lady, lifting her nose. “He's a regular scarecrow. Who in the world is he and where did he come from?” she demanded of Larry, who proceeded to account for Sam's presence with their party. The visitors peered into the car and poked into its recesses, discovered the food supplies for boy and beast, and inspected the dormitories under Larry's guidance, while the boy, who had recovered from his embarrassment, discoursed upon the wonderful experience of the journey. Miss Hazel flashed her great blue eyes and her white teeth upon him, shook all her frizzes in his face, smiled at him, chattered to him, jeered at him, flattered him with all the arts and graces of the practiced flirt she was, until Larry, swept from his bearings, walked the clouds in a wonder world of rosy lights and ravishing airs. His face, his eyes, his eager words, his tremulous lips, were all eloquent of this new passion that possessed him.