"Which puts me in mind of a song," said Luke Watson. "Sam, you know it, and can join in," and he began, accompanying himself on the banjo:
"I love him, I love him, He's down at the gate; He's waiting to meet me No matter how late. He loves me so truly, It fills me with joy To hug him and kiss him— My poodle dog, Floy!"
The song rang out clearly and sweetly, and when the verse was repeated the others joined in. But then came a knock at the door, and Jim Murphy, the big-hearted monitor, appeared.
"Hush! not so loud," he whispered, warningly. "Haskers is coming upstairs." And then the monitor disappeared again.
"I know what that means," said Luke, and rising he put his banjo away in a closet. "He stopped me before—he shan't have the chance to do it again."
The boys had scarcely settled themselves when Job Haskers appeared and gazed sharply around the dormitory. He found all the boys either writing or studying.
"Who is making that noise up here?" he demanded.
To this there was no reply.
"If I hear any more of it I shall punish everybody in this room," added the assistant teacher, and went out again, closing the door sharply after him.
"He's in an elegant humor to-night," was Phil's comment. "Must have swallowed some tacks, or a cup of vinegar."