Part 31 (1/2)

”Here's a bouquet for you!”

”My kindest regards, Tubbs!”

”Oh, isn't it grand to be a real, live Emperor!”

”Hi, let up, will you!” fairly shrieked poor Tubbs, as the things. .h.i.t him in the head and shoulders, ”Let up, I tell you! Oh, what a joke! Let me get out of the carriage! I can't make a speech! Stop throwing at me!

Oh, my eye!” he added, as a beet top caught him in the left optic. Then, watching his chance, he leaped from the carriage, dove like a madman through the crowd, and rushed for one of the dormitories, quickly disappearing from view.

”Good bye, my boy, good bye!” sang out several. And then Tom sent the dress-suit case after him; and the fun came to an end.

”Poor William Philander, he won't forget that in a hurry!” was d.i.c.k's comment. ”Just the same, I am afraid the sport got a little too rough at the end.”

”Maybe it did,” answered Tom. ”If you want it, I'll speak to Tubbs and apologize.”

”I see that apology in a gold frame right now!” declared Sam, with a laugh. ”Tom, let him alone and he'll be all right.”

All of the boys wondered how Tubbs would act when he showed himself.

Much to their amazement he called Tom to one side that evening and shook hands cordially.

”It was all a mistake--this report that I had--er--been knighted, don't you know,” he lisped. ”But it was very nice to get up such a reception in my honor, Thomas, really it was--although it got a bit rough towards the end. But I know it was meant well, and I thank you, honestly I do.”

And the dudish student shook Tom's hand again.

And then, for once in his life, Tom Rover didn't know what to say. As he afterwards admitted, he was completely ”stumped.” Poor, innocent Tubbs had really thought it an honor! To Tom that was ”the limit.”

”I'll never really know that chap,” he said to his brothers. ”His head must be filled with sawdust and punk.”

”Well, let him drop now,” advised d.i.c.k. ”Quit your fooling, Tom, and get at your studies. You know what I told you. We may have to leave Brill before we antic.i.p.ated. And we want to get all the learning we can.”

”Have you heard anything more from dad?” demanded the fun-loving Rover quickly.

”Yes, a letter came this evening. That business affair is in a worse twist than ever. But dad hopes he can straighten it out. But he writes that he isn't feeling as well as he was. If he gets sick, we'll have to jump in--or at least I will--and take his place.”

”We'll all jump in,” was Sam's comment. ”I'd like to do something in a business way.”

”Did dad give any particulars?” asked Tom.

”None but what we already know. He felt too ill to write much.”

”Has he heard anything more of Crabtree or Sobber?”

”Nothing.”

During the following week there was some excitement at Brill because of a football game between that college and another inst.i.tution of learning. It was a gala occasion, and the Rover boys hired a three-seated carriage and brought Dora, Nellie and Grace to the game.

Brill won the contest, and a great jubilee lasting far into the night followed. The Rovers and the three girls had a little feast of their own at the Ashton hotel, and on the way back to Hope the young people sang songs, and had a good time generally. Perhaps some very sentimental things were said--especially between d.i.c.k and Dora--but if so, who can blame them? The placing of that engagement ring on Dora's finger by d.i.c.k had made them both exceedingly happy.

During those days the boys took several short trips in the _Dartaway_, once landing in the field on the Dawson farm. They sought out Dan Murdock and asked him if he had seen anything more of Koswell and Larkspur.

”Yes, I see 'em last week, but they got out of sight in the woods, and I couldn't find 'em,” answered the farm hand.