"Then why the dickens didn't you answer the questions? I read 'em out so loud that old Professor Wiggins sat on me for it."
"I know you did, Parley," said the ghost, meekly. "And I'd have answered 'em if I could. But I couldn't."
"Couldn't?" cried Parley.
"Regularly just couldn't," said the ghost.
"A valedictorian couldn't answer a question on a Freshman's paper?" cried Parley, scornfully.
"No," said the ghost.
"Fine memory you must have! Do you know what a-b, ab, spells?" sneered Parley.
"I do, of course," retorted the ghost, angrily. "A-b, ab, spells nothing. But that doesn't prove anything. I remember all I ever learned at Blue Haven, but I've made a discovery, Parley, which lets me out. You ought to have told me, but, my dear fellow, college begins now just about where it used to leave off."
"What?" queried Parley, doubtfully. "What do you mean?"
"Why, it's plain enough, Jack! Can't you see?" said Watkins. "What would make a valedictorian in my day won't help a Freshman through his first year now. Times have changed."