“You do? How’d you make his acquaintance?”
“He’s Bruce Bennington,” replied our hero, as he told of the manner of their first meeting.
“That’s odd,” commented Reddy. “Bruce is one of the nicest chaps in college. ‘Easy Money Bennington’ we call him, ‘Easy’ for short, though. He’s a good spender, and his own worst enemy.”
“How’s that?” asked Tom. “I could see that something was troubling him the day I met him, but he wouldn’t say what it was.”
“No, that’s his way,” spoke the red-haired athlete. “I mean that he’s impulsive. He’d do anything for a friend, or an enemy too, for that matter, and that often gets him into trouble. He doesn’t stop to think, but he’s got a host of friends, and everybody likes him, even old Skeel I guess, for I’ve seen ’em together lots of times.”
“I wonder what his special trouble is now?” speculated Tom.
“Give it up. Bruce will never tell until it’s settled. He’s proud—won’t take help from any one if he can help it. So you know him?”
“Well, I hardly can say I know him. He may not want to keep up the acquaintance down here,” spoke Tom.
“Oh, yes he will. Bruce isn’t that kind. Once he meets you he’s always friendly, and, if he takes a notion to you, why you couldn’t have a better friend.”