After a little, however, the contents of his stomach seemed to roll over, and the sight of food began to make him feel ill. He could not have eaten anything then had he tried, and it was with a mighty effort that he forced himself to sit there and watch the others enjoying the good things before them. He afterward confessed that he suffered intensely while the rest of the lunch was going on. At last, when everybody seemed satisfied, it appeared that the jokers observed for the first time that he was not eating. Then they began passing him different things, politely inquiring if he would not try this, or that.
“I am afraid you have not enjoyed your lunch,” said the fellow on Jack’s right, “and we got it up expressly for you.”
“You’re too kind!” retorted Ready, with a fearful smile. “I shall try to remember your generosity.”
Frank Merriwell laughed at the freshman’s woful appearance, and Jack feebly shook his fist in return.
“I know I owe all this to you!” he said. “I’ll get even with you before long, see if I don’t!”
“It’s too bad to use him so,” said Merry, as if genuinely regretful. “I think we’d better let up now and not carry it any farther.”
“Oh, go on!” gasped Ready. “You may as well go through with it! I’ll not let you off any easier, Merriwell, if you stop here.”
“Thanks! Don’t mind me. I shall not worry about you at all.”
“You may not worry,” said Jack; “but I’m going to keep my word. I’ll get even with you!”
“My dear sir,” said one of the sophomores, “we cannot permit this. Mr. Merriwell is not one of us; he is simply a guest. He shall say just what we’ll do with you now that you have insulted him.”