"Next time we'll send you a scented note by special liveried messenger," said one of the second-year students in disgust.
"We'll have it on engraved paper, too," added another.
"Thank you. That will be—ah—better," replied William Philander calmly. "But look at my suit," he continued, and gave a groan. "I can't—ah—make any afternoon calls to-day, and I was going to a pink tea—"
"Wow! A pink tea, boys!" yelled one of the boys. "Wouldn't that rattle your back teeth?"
"Never mind, Tubby. The cook will give you a cup of coffee instead," said Tom.
"I should think you'd feel blue instead of pink," added Spud Jackson.
"Sew up the coat with a shoestring, and let it go at that," suggested
Max.
"If you want to paste that collar fast again I've got a bottle of glue," said Songbird.
"Now—ah—don't you poke fun at me!" stormed William Philander.
"Haven't I suffered enough already?"
"Why, we're not poking fun; we're weeping," said Tom, and pretended to wipe his eyes with his handkerchief.