“I never can hear good over that ’phone,” the Californian said. “I’ll go in the furniture shop next door. I’ll be right back.”
“What’s he got up his sleeve now, I wonder?” spoke Phil.
“Give it up,” was his chum’s reply. “Maybe something about Tom’s spread.”
The boys enjoyed the play, and were fortunate enough to get back to college unobserved. Frank offered no explanation of his telephone message, and Sid and Phil did not think to ask questions.
The next day, when Phil and Sid were practicing on the field, a messenger came to summon Frank. The big lad hurried off, unheeding the calls of his chums.
“What in the world is up?” asked Phil wonderingly.
Sid could not guess, but when Frank returned, about an hour later, they both “put it to him straight.”
“Why, there’s no mystery about it,” said Frank calmly. “I just went in to fix the old sofa. I got a new kind of brace for the back and seat and I wanted to glue ’em on in daylight. Don’t any of you fellows sit on it, if you get to the room before I do, or you’ll bust it worse than ever.”
They promised, but Frank took good care that they did not precede him to the room. As the three entered together, having surreptitiously arranged for the spread, Phil and Sid saw the sofa was covered with a winding sheet.
“For cats’ sake!” cried Sid. “What’s that for?”