“Well, you’re queer!” cried Dick Whisper. “A chap who’s knocked around as much as you have generally smokes.”
“Most of them do,” acknowledged Frank.
Bart also declined, and again one of the students reminded a companion that Hodge was bound to imitate Merriwell.
“Have a drink on me,” invited Frank. “It’s my turn.”
They protested, declaring he was their guest and could not buy. But he insisted. He even threatened to stop and take no more drinks unless permitted to order. This brought them round and they gave in.
Black Tom was grinning in a manner that exposed every tooth in his head when he appeared with the drinks.
“Heah yo’ is, gemmans,” he said, with unusual freedom. “I hope yo’ ’s habin’ a good time. Make yo’se’fs right at home. Anything else I can bring yo’, gemmans?”
Fillmore glared at him.
“What’s the matter with you, you black rascal?” he cried. “You act like you’ve been drinking yourself.”