Oscar next introduced our hero to the President, and some of the leading members, all of whom welcomed him cordially.
"Good-evening, Mr. Fletcher," said Harry, observing that young gentleman near him.
"Good-evening, sir," said Fletcher stiffly, and turned on his heel without offering his hand.
"Fletcher don't feel well," whispered Oscar. "He had a visit from a poor relation the other day—a tin-pedler—and it gave such a shock to his sensitive system that he hasn't recovered from it yet."
"I didn't imagine Mr. Fletcher had such a plebeian relative," said
Harry.
"Nor did any of us. The interview was rich. It amused us all, but what was sport to us was death to poor Fitz. You have only to make the most distant allusion to a tin-pedler in his hearing, and he will become furious."
"Then I will be careful."
"Oh, it won't do any harm. The fact was, the boy was getting too overbearing, and putting on altogether too many airs. The lesson will do him good, or ought to."
Here the Society was called to order, and Oscar and Harry took their seats.
The exercises proceeded in regular order until the President announced a declamation by Fitzgerald Fletcher.