“S’cuse me, Miss Darcy,” he stammered; “somew’at tired to-day. My frien’, Mr. Vanly, he—I—” But Miss Darcy was already out of hearing.
Van Loan braced his charge against a tree, and went to recover the hat. Street-boys came up, and began to poke fun at the unfortunate fellow, following him with jeers as he moved on.
Half-way up Concord Street the pair met President Mather, driving down with some ladies of his family. Lee discovered them, waved his hand grandly toward the carriage, and called out:
“’Ello, Prexy! Beau’ful day, ladies! Comp’ments of season to you all!”
The president reined in his team, observed Charley an instant, and drove on.
They met a dozen people from College Hill, acquaintances of both men, ladies and gentlemen, who stopped for a moment to make sure that it was a case of inebriety and not of illness, and then passed on in pained surprise.
A party of students came down, curious and sympathetic, making offers of help. Van Loan declared that he wanted no assistance, and declined their offers with scant courtesy. He was having his revenge; it was deep and sweet indeed; but he began to feel that he should be glad when he got his burdensome charge inside the door of his home.
At the college gate Parmenter met them. At the first glance he did not recognize Lee. When he looked at him again he was shocked at the change in his appearance. Van Loan would have passed on with his victim, but Parmenter stopped them.
“Where did you find him?” he asked.