Part 38 (1/2)
”Nay, nay, kind sir,” retorted Sid, with a shake of his head.
”Nay nay what?” demanded Dutch indignantly.
”No tricks to-night,” went on Sid. ”We're two virtuous young men. We belong to the ancient and honorable order of _infra digs_ to-night, Dutch. Too near the exams. Thus did I exclaim 'nay, nay, kind sir.' We are not to be tempted, nay, even if it were to take mine ancient enemy, Pitchfork, and drop him into the lake; eh, Tom?”
”Yes. I can't afford to take any chances. Twice bitten once shy, or words to that effect, you know. I, too, am delving into the hidden paths that lead to the spring of which the poet doth sing.”
”Say, you two give me a sore feeling in the cranium!” exclaimed Dutch as he sank into the easy chair with force enough almost to disrupt it.
”Who's asking you to play any tricks?”
”Aren't you?”
”No.”
”_Fiat just.i.tia, ruat coelum!_” exclaimed Tom, with mock heroics. ”We have done you an injustice, most n.o.ble Dutchman. Say on, and we will hear thee.”
”I've a good notion not to,” said Housenlager a bit sulkily. ”Here I come in to tell you fellows a piece of news, and I find you boning away, and when I start to talk you spout Latin mottoes at me. I've a good notion to dig out.”
”Stay! Stay, dear friend!” cried Tom, laughing. ”There, we'll chuck studying for to-night, eh, Sid?”
”Sure. I'm sick of it.”
”Now, say on,” invited Tom.
Somewhat mollified, Dutch took an easier position in the creaking chair, thereby raising a cloud of dust, and remarked:
”Well, the freshman dinner will come off to-morrow night. It's just been decided.”
”Honest?” cried Sid.
”Sure. Our committee has everything in shape, and we'll fool the sophs this time. Ford Fenton and I have been going around notifying the fellows. You see, we had to keep it quiet, because those sophs will put it on the blink if they can.”
”Sure they will,” agreed Tom. ”Where is it to be----”
He stopped suddenly, for there was the sound of footsteps in the hall outside.
”Some one is spying,” whispered Sid. Softly he opened the door and then he laughed. ”It's Fenton,” he said as the other entered.
”All through?” asked Dutch of his partner.
”Yes. I don't believe the sophs suspect. A few years ago, when the freshmen had a dinner, the sophs ate it all up, and my uncle says----”
Tom significantly reached for a heavy book, and Ford, with a disappointed look, stopped his reminiscence.
”It's to be in Cardigan Hall, in town,” explained Dutch, ”and we'll start from here in a----”
He paused in a listening att.i.tude and tiptoed over to the door. Throwing the portal open suddenly, he darted into the hall, the others crowding up close to see what was going on.