Part 24 (1/2)
”Can't blame him. You'd be too.”
Then conversation was interrupted by the splas.h.i.+ng of water, to be succeeded by various grunts and puffings, as the boys vigorously rubbed down after their practice.
”Telegram for you, Mr. Parsons,” announced one of the messengers about the college, as he met our hero coming from the gymnasium. ”I've been up to your room, but you weren't there.”
”Thanks,” murmured Tom, as he ripped off the end of the yellow envelope.
His companions watched his face curiously as he read the message.
”Hum, I've got to go home,” announced Tom, a moment later.
CHAPTER XVI
FRANK'S SURPRISE
”Home!” exclaimed Sid.
”Going to leave?” inquired Phil.
”For good?” demanded the Big Californian. ”Say now, that's tough! I was hoping this thing would at least hold off until after the games, Tom.
What's the row?”
”Oh, that lawsuit business, I suppose. Dad doesn't give any particulars.
He just says: 'Come home at once.'”
There was a silence among the inseparables for a moment or two, and then Sid said:
”Say, let's go to our room and talk this over. Maybe it isn't so bad as it seems.”
”What do you mean?” asked Phil, as they walked on.
”Well, maybe Tom is only called home temporarily. His dad may want some help, or something like that, and he can come back in a short time. Let's think that, anyhow, and don't go to getting up a farewell banquet.”
”Oh, come now!” objected Tom. ”None of that farewell-feed business, even if I do have to go.”
”You dry up!” commanded Frank. ”I guess we'll give you a banquet if we want to, if you're going to leave. But you're not. I believe, as Sid does, that it's only temporary. You'll start right away, of course?”
”As soon as Moses lets me. I can catch the midnight train, and be at home in the morning. I guess it must be that dad needs my testimony, or an affidavit or something in connection with the lawsuit. It will be tried over again soon, and I helped dad on some of his books and papers, when he went into that horse deal. I'll go see Moses now, and get a permit.”
”You'll have to break training,” remarked Phil a bit regretfully, as Tom walked toward the residence of Dr. Churchill. ”You'll have to work doubly hard when you come back.”
”Oh, I guess Randall won't lose much by my absence for a few days,”
answered Tom with a laugh. ”There are enough fellows to hold her end up.”
”What's that?” cried Holly Cross, coming along at that moment. ”No treason, Parsons. Randall wants every loyal son to stand up for her honor.”
”Oh, of course,” replied the pitcher. ”I'll be on the job later,” and he explained about the telegram.