Part 18 (1/2)

”Let's start with the library,” suggested d.i.c.k, ”that's one of the handsomest buildings. When he sees all the books he'll get the idea that we're very literary, and first impressions are lasting, you know.”

”I'm afraid it wouldn't do any good,” said Bert. ”He'd just be getting that impression, and then Tom would pull some of his low comedy stuff and queer the whole thing. We can never palm ourselves off as highbrows while he's around.”

”Just because you're unable to appreciate the little gems of wit I offer you from time to time, you have to go and run them down,” protested Tom.

”It isn't my fault that you haven't sense enough to laugh at them. It's your misfortune, that's all.”

”Well, I'll do my best to bear up under the deprivation,” laughed Bert.

”But here we are, Mr. Melton. What do you think of the outside?”

While he and Tom had been exchanging thrusts the little group had been strolling toward the library building, and by this time had reached the broad flight of steps that led up to it. There they halted while Mr.

Melton examined the front of the building.

”It is very handsome,” he commented; ”if its interior answers to its outer appearance it must be a beautiful place.”

”I think you'll find that it does,” said Bert; ”but the best way to tell is to go inside.”

Accordingly, they ascended the stone steps and, entering the ma.s.sive doors, found themselves in a lofty hall, from which branched the various reading rooms. Everything was in perfect harmony and taste, and Mr.

Melton was outspoken in his expressions of admiration.

Leaving the library, the boys showed their friend all the college buildings--the recitation hall, the dormitories, the chapel and the gymnasium. Mr. Melton seemed attracted most of all by the latter, and examined the different athletic apparatus with the greatest interest.

”You certainly have everything that modern science can furnish,”

commented Mr. Melton enthusiastically. He lingered long by the swimming tank, in which a number of athletic young fellows were disporting themselves.

”How would you like to visit the engine room?” asked d.i.c.k. ”To my mind that's the most interesting place in the college.”

”I'd like it first rate,” said Mr. Melton; ”anything in the way of machinery can always be sure of getting a respectful hearing from me.”

The three friends accordingly guided him down into the engine and boiler rooms, sacred ground to which few visitors ever penetrated. Here was machinery of the latest and most up-to-date patterns, and Mr. Melton listened attentively while the boys explained to him the uses of the various mechanisms. They were familiar with everything in the place, and their listener knew enough about machinery to readily understand everything that they told him. They spent over an hour altogether in the engine room, and when at last they emerged into the upper regions again Mr. Melton drew a long breath.

”It's certainly a wonderful place,” he said with enthusiasm; ”and I envy you boys the chance you have of getting an education in a such a college. It's a privilege that you'll probably appreciate ten years from now even more than you do at the present time.”

”Possibly,” said Bert with a note of doubt in his voice. ”But I don't think we'll ever take any more pride in the old college than we do right now.”

”Nope, can't be done,” said Tom flippantly; ”any place that can give Bert three such meals a day as he gets at the training table is sure to make a hit with him.”

”_I'll_ make a hit with a brick if you make any more comments of that kind,” threatened Bert; ”and what's more, you'll be _it_.”

”I call you to witness, Mr. Melton,” said Tom, turning to that gentleman, who by now was laughing heartily, ”this low person has threatened to land me with a brick if I make any further criticism of his bad habits. Now, what I want to know is, is this, or is it not, a land of free speech? Is a freeborn American citizen to be threatened and bullied by a----” but here his protest ended in a m.u.f.fled roar, as d.i.c.k and Bert pounced on him and wrapped their coats tightly about his head.

”It's the only way to make him quit,” apologized Bert to Mr. Melton.

Then, addressing the m.u.f.fled Tom, ”Will you promise to be good if we let you out?”

The only answer was a series of wild plungings, that ended by landing the three in a tangled heap on the gra.s.s. At last Tom managed to get his head free, and struggled to his feet.

His laughing comrades also scrambled to theirs, and they stood facing each other.

”Well,” said Tom, smoothing down his rumpled mop of hair, ”you knew you were tackling something, anyway.”