“I—er—it was an accident, you see. I was—I was exercising.”
“Exercising?” There was a note of incredulity in the voice.
“Yes, exercising.”
“What for?” Cold sarcasm now took the place of surprise.
“To keep warm.”
“Look here, Parsons!” exclaimed the instructor. “You may think this is a joke, but——”
“No, sir; it’s no joke. I was exercising to keep warm. Arm exercising you know, and my elbow banged your door—I didn’t know I was so close.”
“I see. Well, are you warm now?”
“Oh, yes, sir.” Indeed Tom was in a veritable rosy glow.