Forty or fifty sophomores loafed about the opera-house watching the caterers buzz to and fro. Tables had been spread inside for several hundred guests, and the president's chair was decorated with roses and winter ferns. Three little freshmen and Dan Jordan, surrounded by many juniors went calmly in to inspect things.
Several underclassmen stood disconsolately inside.
"Be on your guard," whispered Dan, passing them.
The fifty sophomores outside were waiting for something to happen. Graves would be produced—how, they could not tell. The strangeness of the actions of Frederick's fraternity brothers made the affair more unsolvable. Threatening looks were showered upon them as freshman after freshman, guarded by juniors, filed in. Dan Jordan slouched to the door of the opera-house, his eyes falling mechanically upon Tessibel Skinner across the street. He heard her arguing with the man from the café about her fish. Tessibel then crossed to the opera-house.
"Does ye want any fish?" she smiled, showing her white teeth.
"No," replied Jordan. "What have you?... Eels?"
"No, nothin' but bullheads and suckers."
Dan looked about, grinning upon the sophomores.
"There's enough of them here already.... I want some eels—"