human
I understand the freshmen are rapidly coming to the front,
gpt
Is that right? asked Parker.
human
Heard anything new?
gpt
Why, they say this Merriwell has the genuine Oxford system.
human
Where'd he get it?
gpt
He has been abroad. It is even reported that he has studied at Oxford. He has watched the work of the Oxford coach, and he is working the freshmen eight on the same lines.
human
That's right--that's right,
gpt
How do you know it is right? asked Emery.
human
What do you know about Merriwell?
gpt
I know he has been abroad, and I have it straight that he spent considerable time at Oxford.
human
That's nothing. Any lubber might watch the work at Oxford, but what would that amount to?
gpt
Merriwell is no lubber, as you fellows should know by this time.
human
We don't seem to know much of anything about him. Who are his parents? What about them?
gpt
I hear his father was drowned in bed,
human
By Jawve! exclaimed Willis Paulding.
gpt
How could that happen?
human
There was a hole in the mattress, and he fell through into the spring,
gpt
That's all wrong, said Browning.
human
It's true Merriwell is no lubber. Why should he be? His father was a skipper.
gpt
What! A sea captain?
human
No, a bank cashier. He skipped to Canada.
gpt
Wow! whooped Tad Horner.
human
How that hurt! Don't do it again!
gpt
You fellows have things twisted, asserted Parker, with apparent seriousness.
human
I have private advices that Merriwell's father is a poor dentist.
gpt
A poor dentist, eh?
human
Yes, rather poor, but he manages to pull out.
gpt
Water!
human
You wouldn't know it if you saw it,
gpt
Without a doubt and without any fooling, Merriwell's father is dead,
human
Do you know this for a fact?
gpt
Yes. It is said that he died on the field.
human
Then he was a soldier?
gpt
No; a baseball umpire.
human
This is a very dry crowd,
gpt
I should think you would say something,
human
It isn't in the house. We'll go down to Morey's after supper settles and I'll blow.
gpt
To fizz?
human
Not this evening. Ale is good enough for this crowd.
gpt
Oh, I don't suppose we can kick at that. But we were speaking about Merriwell and the freshman crew. How are we to escape death at their hands?
human
Have another cigarette all around,
gpt
That's too slow, but I'll take a cigarette just the same.