"I wasn't admitted. I never was here in my life before."
"What! Are you not Barker, of the freshman class?" asked the three sophomores in chorus.
"My name is Barker—Sam Barker—but I don't belong to any class."
"What made you say you did?"
"Just for fun."
"Sold!" exclaimed the three in concert. "I guess this has gone far enough," said Brown. "Let's unmask."
Masks were removed, the curtains raised, Sam was invited to wash his face, which Brown, in his manipulations, had blacked, and there was a hearty laugh all round. Sam was invited to tell his story and did so. The three students were wealthy, and took up a contribution for his benefit, amounting to ten dollars.
"I'll come round another day for half price," said Sam, humorously.
"The next time we initiate a freshman, it'll be the genuine article. All the same, we've had some fun. Won't you stay and dine with us? We shall have dinner in an hour."
"Thank you," said Sam, "I'm agreeable."