“Well, I guess I’m going to be left alone to do the honors,” laughed Clara. “Come on now, it’s almost train time. Oh, hello, Tom!” she added, as Joe’s chum entered. “Did you bring any extra handkerchiefs with you?”
“Say I’ll pull your hairpins out, Clara, if you don’t quit fooling!” threatened her brother.
Joe’s baggage, save for a small valise, had been sent on ahead, and now, calling a good-bye to his parents, but not going to them, for he realized that it would only make his mother cry more, the young collegian, escorted by his sister and chum, started for the station.
Our hero found a few of his friends gathered there, among them Mabel Davis.
“And so you’re off for Yale,” she remarked, and Joe noticed that she too, like his sister, seemed to have “grown up” suddenly in the last year. Mabel was quite a young lady now.
“Yes, I’m off,” replied Joe, rather coldly.
“Oh, I think it’s just grand to go to a big college,” went on Mabel. “I wish papa would let Tom go.”
“I wish so myself,” chimed in her brother.
“I know one Yale man,” went on Mabel. “I met him this Summer. He was at the game the other day. I could write to him, and tell him you are coming.”
“Please don’t!” exclaimed Joe so suddenly that Mabel drew back, a little offended.