“Don’t you burn me!” shrieked the unfortunate utility man.
“Speech! speech!” was the cry, and the boys came a little closer with their torches.
“I don’t know what to say!”
“Speech! speech!” And the boys came still closer.
“I can’t—oh, gracious! Don’t burn me, I tell you! Keep back!” The sweat was pouring from the man’s face. “I can’t—— Well, here goes! This here school is the best in the world. You fellers is the best in—keep back with that torch! You fellers is the worst—I mean the best in the world. I’m glad to serve you, but I’d be gladder if you’d leave me—get back, I say! It’s been a juberous day, and we are all—we—are all——”
“Overflowing with joy,” suggested Jack.
“I ain’t overflowing with joy—oh, get back! Yes, I am, and this glorious school—— Oh!”
The speech came to a sudden end, as the top of the barrel gave a crack. Down went the general-utility man into the barrel, which rolled from the box to the ground.
“Hullo!” cried Pepper. “Peleg wants a roll! Let’s give it to him.”
“I don’t want——” began the poor man, but could say no more. Over and over went the barrel, around the campus, with Snuggers in it, the cadets shrieking wildly with joy. Then down the hill to the rear it went.