Part 10 (1/2)
”I'll not make a fool of myself for anybody,” spoke up Peter John sharply.
”You don't have to. It won't be necessary,” replied Allen quietly, but in the laugh that followed, Peter John took no part.
”What do you want us to do?” inquired Foster.
”Well, we suggest that this young man--I've forgotten his name,” said Allen, turning to Peter John as he spoke.
”Schenck. Peter John Schenck--that's my name, and I'm not ashamed of it either!” said that worthy promptly. ”But I don't propose to hire a band and march around the streets making a fool of myself for anybody.”
”You don't have to,” and again a laugh arose at the junior's words. ”I was only suggesting, that's all. But if you want to know what I think, I'm of the opinion that if you'd be one to help haul the committee from the senior cla.s.s around in their chariot it would be a good thing for you. That's only a suggestion on my part, as I told you, and you can do as you please about it.”
”I don't please to do it,” replied Peter John sulkily.
”What's the 'chariot' you spoke of, Allen?” inquired Will.
”Oh, it's only an old hay wagon. It's been the custom for some of the freshmen to haul the officers of the senior cla.s.s around in it. It doesn't amount to much, but honestly I think it will be a good thing for you to do it.”
”All right, you can count on me,” said Will quickly.
”I don't want to count on that from you. I've something else for you and Bennett to do.”
”What's that?”
”I'll explain it to you.” And Allen at once went into the details of the scheme he proposed. Both Will and Foster laughed as he laid it before them, and willingly consented to do their part. Peter John, however, said not a word, and when the visitors prepared to depart, Allen said, ”You're to a.s.semble at the gym, you know, and the parade will be formed in front of it on the street. It'll march up Main Street, down East End Avenue, around through Walker Street, up West Street, across Drury Lane and then back into Main Street and then on down to the ball ground.
There the parade will break up and the freshmen and soph.o.m.ores will have their annual ball game. It'll be great fun if you take it in the right spirit, and you'll have plenty of spectators too.”
”How's that?” said Foster.
”Why, the whole college, faculty and all, will turn out to see it, and of course all the village people will be on hand, and if it's a good day there'll be a crowd here from out of town. The trains will be crowded that day, and there'll be a good many who'll come into Winthrop with their automobiles. You'll never forget the day as long as you live.”
”Great!” exclaimed Will. ”I wish it was to-morrow. Where shall we get these things we're to wear?”
”You can find them in the stores, or maybe I'll be able to help you out some. Come down to my room to-morrow and I'll see what can be done. Good night,” Allen added, as he and his cla.s.smates started down the stairway.
”Good night,” responded Will and Foster, and then closed the door.
”Of all the foolishness I ever heard that beats all,” said Peter John when the freshmen were by themselves once more. ”They don't get me into it.”
”Oh, yes, Peter John. Don't pull off that way,” said Will cordially.
”Not much. I'm not so big a fool as they take me to be.”
”You'll be a bigger one if you keep out.”
”Maybe I will, but I'm not going to go into any such doings.”
”Now look here, Peter John. You're a freshman, but you can't help that and no one blames you for it. I'm--”
”I'm no more a freshman than you are,” retorted Peter John warmly.