Part 9 (2/2)
The suggestion Will's room-mate had made that Peter John soon might take Splinter's place had recalled his own difficulties with the man, but soon even the thoughts of the unpopular professor of Greek were forgotten in the new interest that was aroused by the entrance into the room of three young men who were at once recognized as members of the junior cla.s.s.
CHAPTER VIII
THE PARADE
”You're just the fellows we're looking for,” said Allen, the leading spirit of the three young men who entered the room.
”You haven't very far to look, then,” replied Will laughingly, for in his heart he felt honored by the unexpected visit of the upper cla.s.smen.
”That's right, freshman. How are you getting on?”
”They've kept us busy, to say the least.”
”You mean the sophs?”
”Yes. That's the only cla.s.s we have to think of, isn't it?”
”No. Your own cla.s.s is first.”
”It's the best cla.s.s in college,” interrupted Peter John quickly, and all who were in the room laughed as the uncouth freshman's face flushed.
”That's the way to talk,” responded Allen.
”But it is. I'm not joking,” persisted Peter John seriously.
”No doubt. No doubt. But what we've come for is to tell you about the parade.”
”Parade? What parade?” inquired Foster.
”Why, every fall there is a parade of the freshmen. They have a band usually, at least most of the cla.s.ses have had one and as yours is the best cla.s.s that ever entered college, why you won't want to fall behind the others I know.”
”Who pays for the band?” demanded Peter John.
”You do, that is, your cla.s.s does.”
”I won't pay a cent,” retorted Peter John.
”You don't have to,” laughed Allen. ”Some of the others will make it up.
I'm just telling you what the custom is and only for your own good.”
”Go on with your story,” interrupted Will. ”Let's hear about the parade.”
”It's to come off next Sat.u.r.day afternoon, and we juniors usually help out in the scheme, you see. We try to arrange a part of it for you and help you out in some of the details. The whole thing is 'horse play,'
just a sort of burlesque, and the more ridiculous you can make it, the better.”
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