Part 40 (1/2)

”Profound, profound mind,” said Dennis de Brian de Boru Finnegan. ”Doc Macnooder is better on detail, but when it comes to theory the Tennessee Shad is the Willie Keeler boy every time!”

”I've another idea,” said Stover, ”a way to get even with The Roman, too.”

”What's that?”

”To signal the gerund and the gerundive.”

”Magnificent and most popular!” said the Tennessee Shad. ”We'll put that in as a guaranty. Who'll signal?”

”I'll signal,” said Stover, claiming the privilege. ”It's my right!”

Beekstein, who might be completely described as a pair of black-rimmed spectacles riding an aquiline nose, now shuffled in with his dictionary under his arm, his fingers between the leaves of a Cicero to which he still clung.

”Mr. Hall,” said the Tennessee Shad with a flourish, ”take any chair in the room.”

Beekstein, alarmed by such generosity, sat down like a ramrod and cast a roving, anxious glance under the beds and behind the screen.

”Beekstein,” said the Tennessee Shad, to rea.s.sure him, ”we have just organized the Kennedy Educational Quick Lunch Inst.i.tute. The purpose is fraternal, patriotic and convivial. It will be most exclusive and very secret.” He explained the working scheme and then added anxiously: ”Now, Beekstein, you see the position of First Grand Hot Tamale will be the real thing. He will be, so to speak, Valedictorian of the Kennedy and certainly ought to be elected secretary of the house next year. Now, Beekstein, what we got you here for is this.

What do you think of Gumbo for the position? Well, what?”

Beekstein, in his agitation, withdrew his finger from the Orations of Cicero.

”What's the matter with me?” he said directly. ”Gumbo is only a second-rater.”

”He's very strong in mathematics.”

”That's the only thing he beats me on!”

”Yes, but, Beekstein, there is another thing--a delicate subject. I don't know how to approach it. You see, we don't know how you're fixed for the spondulix,” said the Tennessee Shad, who knew perfectly well the other's flouris.h.i.+ng condition. ”You see, this is not only educational, but a very select body, quite a secret society,--with a midnight spread now and then. Of course there are dues, you see. It would cost you a half a week.”

”Is that all?” said Beekstein, who had never belonged to a secret society in his life. ”Here's the first month down. Right here.”

”I don't know how far we are committed to Gumbo,” said the Tennessee Shad, not disdaining to finger the two-dollar bill. ”But I'll do everything I can for you.”

Gumbo Binks, being consulted as to the qualifications of Beekstein, fell into the same trap. He was a monosyllabic, oldish little fellow, whose cheeks had fallen down and disturbed the balance of his already bald head. He had but one emotion and one enthusiasm, a professional jealousy of Beekstein, who was several points ahead of him in the race for first honors. Under these conditions the Tennessee Shad proceeded victoriously. Having made sure of each, he next informed them that, owing to a wide divergence of opinion, a choice seemed impossible.

Each should have two months' opportunity to lecture before the Quick Lunchers before a vote would be taken.

Under these successful auspices the Inst.i.tute met enthusiastically the following day, both the lecturers and the lectured ignoring the financial status of the others. It was found on careful compilation that, by close and respectful attention to Professors Beekstein and Gumbo, twenty minutes would suffice for the rendering of the Greek and Latin test; while only ten minutes extra were needed to follow the requirements of mathematics.

The clause in the const.i.tution which pledged defiance to The Roman and guaranteed protection on the gerund and gerundive was exceedingly popular. The signals were agreed upon. Absolute rigidity on Stover's part denounced the gerund, while a slight wriggling of his sensitive ears betrayed the approach of the abhorrent gerundive.

In his resolve to destroy forever the peace of mind of The Roman, d.i.n.k sat an extra period under Beekstein, stalking and marking down the lair of these enemies of boykind.

On the following morning The Roman lost no time in calling up P.

Lentz, who, to his amazement, recited creditably.

”Dear me,” said The Roman, quite astonished, ”the day of miracles is not over--most astounding! Bring your book to the desk, Lentz--hem!

Everything proper! Profuse apologies, Lentz, profuse ones! The suspicion is the compliment. I'm quite upset, quite so. First time such a thing has happened.” He hesitated for a moment, debating whether to allow him to retire with the honors, but his curiosity proving strong he said: ”And now, Lentz, third line, second word--gerund or gerundive?”