"This extraordinary story in the 'Blade' refers to you, does it not?" inquired the banker, shoving the paper before the young man.
"Yes, sir," Bert admitted sulkily.
"You and your friend, Bayliss, have been making fools of yourselves, have you?"
"No, sir," cried Bert. "We were made fools of by others."
"When it comes to making a fool of yourself, Bert, no one else is swift enough to get ahead of you," replied his father witheringly. "So, you have succeeded in making the entire family objects of ridicule once more? I had hoped that that sort of thing had ceased when I sent you away to a private school."
"We were imposed on," flushed Bert angrily. "Nor has the outrage stopped there. Bayliss and I were seized in front of the 'Blade' office, and taken over to the horse trough and ducked!"
"Was it done thoroughly?" inquired the banker ironically.
"A thorough ducking?" gasped his son and heir. "I should say it was thorough, sir!"
"Then I wish that the incident would make sufficient impression on you to last you a few days," went on Mr. Dodge bitterly. "I doubt it, however."
"Father, I want you to back me in having some of my assailants arrested for that ducking!"