human
By Jawve! drawled Paulding,
gpt
You'd been roasted like the rest of us,
human
But I'd made it warm faw some of the blooming cads.
gpt
Haven't we been doing our level best to make it warm for them? cried Horner.
human
But no matter what we do, they see us and go us one better.
gpt
It all comes from Merriwell, asserted Swallows.
human
He's king of the freshmen, the same as Browning is king of the sophomores.
gpt
And he's a terror, nodded Horner.
human
He can put up more jokes than one.
gpt
And they say he can fight.
human
They say! Why, didn't you see him do Diamond, the fresh from Virginia? Oh, no. I remember you were not with us that night. Yes, he can fight, and he doesn't seem to be easily scared.
gpt
I think he is a blawsted upstart, said Paulding, lazily puffing at his cigarette.
human
He needs to be called down, don't yer know.
gpt
Some time when he is upstairs, call him down,
human
Fists are not the only things that fellows can fight with, said Parker.
gpt
The matter has been kept quiet, but it is said to be a fact that Diamond forced him into a duel with rapiers, and he disarmed the Southerner twice, having him completely at his mercy each time.
human
And Diamond prides himself on being an expert with that kind of weapon,
gpt
Why doesn't Browning do something? asked Paulding.
human
It is outrageous faw a lot of freshies to run things this way.
gpt
Browning is in training,
human
In training? What faw? Why, he is so lazy--
gpt
He's training to get some of the flesh off him. It is my opinion that somebody must check Merriwell's wild career, and he is getting in condition to do it. You know that Browning was one of the hardest men who ever entered Yale. He is a natural athlete, but he's lazy, and he has allowed himself to become soft. Why, he knocked out Kid Lajoie, the professional, in a hard-glove contest of three rounds. Lajoie was easy fruit for him. I fancy he means to go up against this fresh duck Merriwell and do him. That's the only thing that will pull Merriwell off his perch. He doesn't mind being hazed.
human
Doesn't mind it! shouted Horner.
gpt
Confound him! He always manages to turn the tables in some way, and hazes the parties who try to haze him.
human
Hey, Browning! Hello, King! Come join us. You, too, Emery --to the other fellow.
gpt
What'll you have, Browning?
human
I'm not taking anything now,
gpt
Oh, but you must! Have some ale, old man.
human
Excuse me, gentlemen. I tell you squarely that I am not taking anything just now. By and by I will be with you again. Emery will go you one. That's what he came in for.
gpt
That's right, declared Browning's companion.
human
I was out stargazing last night. Looked at the Long-Handled Dipper a long time, and it gave me an awful thirst. I've had it with me all day. Yes, mine's ale.
gpt
Say, broke out Emery, suddenly,
human
He's no good, said Tad.
gpt
He is crooked and he's a toucher. Touched me for a V once, and I am looking for that fiver yet. That was two years ago, before I came here. I knew him then.
human
He tried to touch us for a drink as we came along, said Browning.
gpt
I took him in here once, but I've been sorry ever since. He said he had his thirst with him just now. I told him to go sit on the fence and let the wind blow him off.
human
And he is a big bluff, asserted Emery.
gpt
The other day he was telling how he once sat at the table with kings and queens. I told him that I had--and with jacks and ten spots. Here comes the amber. My! I won't do a thing to it!
human
Here's more to-morrow,
gpt
By Jawve! drawled Paulding.
human
You must be thirsty!
gpt
I am. Have been all day, as I said before. It was hard stuff last night, and we went the rounds. My head needed hooping when I arose from my downy couch this morning.
human
Well, you shouldn't have gotten intoxicated, in the first place,
gpt
I didn't. It was in the last place. If I'd gone home before we struck that joint I'd been all right.
human
Wow! whooped Tad Horner.
gpt
You seem full of 'em!
human
Oh, I am. I've been eating nothing but red pepper lately, and I'm hot stuff. Let's have another one all around.
gpt
Your neck must be dry enough to squeak, old man, said Parker, addressing Browning.
human
It doesn't seem natural for you to go thirsty. Won't you have just one?
gpt
Not one, smiled Bruce, lazily.
human
I've got too much flesh on me now, and I'm trying to get some of it off.
gpt
Going to try for the football team--or what?
human
Nothing of that sort--but I have a reason.
gpt
We know.
human
You do?
gpt
Sure.
human
What is it?
gpt
You're laying for Merriwell, and you mean to do him. I am right, am I not?
human
That settles it, laughed Parker.
gpt
I knew I was right. Well, somebody must curry that young colt down and it must be done right away.
human
This crowd is straight, and I am going to make a few remarks right here and now. I feel just like it.
gpt
Drive ahead.
human
Go on.
gpt
We are listening.
human
I am not inclined to talk this matter over publicly, said Bruce,
gpt
You know I am getting up every morning and taking a stiff walk. I turn out at daybreak.
human
Good gracious! gasped Tad Horner.
gpt
How do you do it?
human
Well, I've got one of those electric alarm clocks, and I put it just as far away from my bed as possible.
gpt
Why is that?
human
So I won't get hold of it and smash thunder out of the thing when it gets to going. You know it won't stop its racket till somebody stops it or it is run down, and it takes an hour for it to run down after it starts in to ring you up.
gpt
By Jawve! drawled Paulding;
human
I hawdly think I'd like to have one of the blooming things in my room.
gpt
I don't like to have one in my room, but it is absolutely necessary that I do. Hartwick, my roommate, admires it!
human
I should think he might, said Puss Parker.
gpt
He's got a temper with an edge like a cold-chisel.