Up popped Ted Smart, who had been remarkably quiet.
“What composer is most noted of modern times?” he propounded.
“Give it up,” said some one. “What composer is the most noted?”
“Chloroform!” cried Ted, and promptly sat down.
“Somebody ought to give him a medal, by Jim!” squeaked the fat boy. “Why does your mouth make me think of a tavern door? Give it up? He! he! Because it’s always open.”
“That’s funny!” sneered Ted. “That’s dreadful funny, but you will have to write it out for us. Wait until you have had a square meal. Why isn’t it best to write on an empty stomach?”
“You tell,” invited Tubbs. “You’re so all-fired bright, go ahead and tell why it isn’t best to write on an empty stomach.”
“Because there is plenty of paper to write on,” said Ted serenely.
“Hello, Darrell!” called Dick, “what is the best land for girls?”
“America,” answered Darrell promptly. “The girls of America beat the world. You couldn’t tell of a better land for them.”