"Ten pounds heavier," said Dennis. "He ought to make a peach of a tackle this year!" "Bringing girls around!" said Stover scornfully, to vent his rage. "More to be pitied than blamed," sang Dennis on a popular air. "It's his sister. Luscious eyes--quite the figure, too." "Figure--huh!" said Stover, who hadn't seen. At the Jigger Shop the Gutter Pup, looking up from a meringue entirely surrounded by peach jiggers, hailed them: "Hello, Rinky Dink! Changed your mind, eh? Thought you were homesick." "Sure I was, but Dennis came in with a bucket and caught the tears," said Stover gravely. "I'll call you in next time. Al, how be you? Here's what I owe you. Set 'em up." "_Tres bien_!" said Dennis de Brian de Boru Finnegan. That night, as they started on the problem of interior decorations, Stover threw himself on the bed, rolling with laughter. "Well, I'm glad you've decided to be cheerful; but what in blazes are you hee-hawing at?" said the Tennessee Shad, mystified. "I'm laughing," said Stover, loud enough for Dennis down the hall to hear, "at the Superiority of the Superlative over the Comparative." XII "Why, look at the Dink!" said Lovely Mead the next afternoon, as Stover emerged in football togs which he had industriously smeared with mud to conceal their novelty. "He must be going out for the 'Varsity!" said Fatty Harris sarcastically. "By request," said the Gutter Pup. "Why, who told you?" said Stover. "You trying for the 'Varsity?" said Lovely Mead incredulously. "Why, where did you play football?" "Dear me, Lovely," said Stover, lacing his jacket, "thought you read the newspapers." "Huh! What position are you trying for?" "First substitute scorer," said Stover, according to Finnegan's theory. "Any more questions?" Lovely Mead, surprised, looked at Stover in perplexity and remained silent. Dink, laughing to himself at the ease of the trick, started across the Circle for the 'Varsity football field, whither already the candidates were converging to the first call of the season. He had started joyfully forth from the skeptics on the steps, but once past the chapel and in sight of the field his gait abruptly changed. He went quietly, thoughtfully, a little alarmed at his own daring, glancing at the padded figures that overtopped him.