“I’ll inquire for you to-morrow,” she added with a smile as she turned aside.
“I say, old man, I’m afraid I pushed you in, but I didn’t mean to—’pon my soul!” exclaimed Langridge earnestly as he edged up to Tom.
“All—all right—it doesn’t matter—now,” answered Tom, and then his chums rushed him up to the college, where a warm bath and drinks were soon effectively administered. No bad results attended the unexpected plunge, and that night Tom was able to join in the celebration that followed the winning of the ball game, when many bonfires blazed and the students were allowed more license than usual.
It was about a week later when, following a rather hard series of games between the scrub and ’varsity teams in which Tom had strained his arm, Coach Lighton advised him to get a new kind of liniment to rub on it. It could only be had in a certain store in town, and, obtaining permission to go there on condition that he return to college before nine o’clock, Tom started off alone one evening. Sid had to make up some lessons he was “shaky” on, and though he wanted to take the walk, he did not feel that he dared spare the time.
On his way to the drug store Tom passed the side entrance of a certain resort much patronized by the “sporty” class of students. Several lads were in there, as Tom could tell by the snatches of college songs that floated out, and as he got opposite the place the door swung open to give entrance to others and Tom saw Langridge sitting at a table with several flashily dressed lads. They were playing cards and glasses of some sort of liquor stood at their elbows, while most of them, including Langridge, were smoking cigarettes.
“He’s broken training with a vengeance!” exclaimed Tom in a low voice as he hurried on. “Cigarettes are the limit!”
Tom tried not to think about what he had seen as he went on to the drug store and had his prescription filled. He had to wait some little time for it and as he came out he noticed by a clock that he would have to hurry if he wanted to get back to college in time.
He started off briskly and just as he got in front of the side door of the resort the portal opened and several lads came out. Langridge was with them, and all were somewhat worse for the lively evening they had spent. The ’varsity pitcher, who seemed strangely hilarious, caught sight of Tom.
“Well, if there ain’t my deadly rival!” he cried in what was intended to be a friendly manner, but which was silly. “Hello, Parsons! Come in and have a cigarette!”
“No,” was the answer in conciliatory tones. “I’m in a hurry to get back to the college. My time’s nearly up.”