A "pup" in California means a young English gentleman, generally the fool of the family, who pays a premium to some fellow-countryman in return for board and lodging and the privilege of learning not so much how to do things as how not to do them--the latter being the more common object-lesson afforded him. Ajax and I had gleaned experience with pups, and we had long ago determined that no premium was adequate compensation for the task and responsibility of breaking them in. Jim went into details.
"It's Tomlinson-Thorpe. You fellows have heard of him, of course?"
"Never," said Ajax.
"The International! You ought to see him go through a scrum with half a dozen fellows on his back."
"A footballer," said my brother thoughtfully.
"One of the best. Naturally he puts on a little side. He has money, and I told him he could double it in a year or two."
"You told him that? Have you doubled your capital, Jim?"
"Well--er--no. But I'm rather a Juggins. Thorpe is as 'cute as they make 'em."
"A man of mind and muscle," murmured Ajax.
"And my greatest pal," added the enthusiastic James.