Tom nodded.
“Well, you certainly were sporting your oak. Did you hear the run-in I had with a monitor? Beastly fresh. I made out all right, fooled the proc. good and proper. I wish you had been along. Are these your friends?”
Shambler included Sid, Phil and Frank, in a comprehensive wave of his hand, and there was no choice but for Tom to introduce them, which he did with the best grace possible.
“Glad to meet you!” exclaimed Shambler, holding out a muscular hand. “I hear you’re in the athletic set. That’s where I want to get, too, though I’m fond of a good time, and not too much training. I had bully fun last night. Met some fellows from Boxer Hall, and we stayed in town quite late. Don’t you ever hit it up?”
“Not very often,” replied Sid, a bit coldly. “Well,” he added, “I’m going to leave you fellows. I’ve got a lecture on.”
“So have I,” added Tom, and, not to his very great pleasure, Shambler linked his arm in that of the pitcher’s, and walked off with him, remarking:
“I’m due for the same thing, old man. Do you mind if I sit with you? I’d be glad if you’d give me a few pointers. They do things a bit differently at the lectures here than at Harkness, where I came from. The old man’s business changed, and I had to come here. How about cutting lectures?”
“It can be done,” spoke Tom coldly, for it was not his habit to indulge in this practice. There were a few other commonplace remarks, and then the college day fairly began.
Not until that afternoon did Tom meet his three chums again, and then, in coming from the last lecture of the day, he heard footsteps behind him, and turned to see Shambler hurrying to catch up to him.
“I say!” began the new student. “I meant to tell you. I met some fine chaps last night from Boxer Hall. They’re coming over this afternoon to call for me. I was wondering whether you and your chums wouldn’t like to come out with us. We’re going to hire a drag and take a ride.”