“Yes, sir,” answered Tom, meekly.
“There goes the car,” remarked Sid in a low voice. “There won’t be another for half an hour, and we’ll sure be late for grub. Hang Zane, anyhow.”
“May I ask how long you intend to remain?” went on the obnoxious college official.
“Not very long,” answered Phil. “We are going on an errand. We didn’t know it was against the rules not to leave the college grounds in daylight, Mr. Zane.” It was a sarcastic reference to the many somewhat childish rules the proc. was in the habit of framing up from time to time.
“There is no rule prohibiting students from leaving the grounds in daylight, Mr. Clinton,” said the proctor, severely, “but the reason I stopped you is that I wish to point out that if you go to town now you will hardly be back in time for supper, and that means that you will probably get a meal in Haddonfield. Also, there is no set rule against that, but Dr. Churchill does not like it. Staying to supper in the village might mean that you would stay later, and I need hardly point out that there is a rule about being out after hours. That is all,” and the little proctor walked stiffly away.
“Well, wouldn’t that get your goat!” murmured Tom, when the official was beyond hearing.
“I should say so; and also frizzle your back teeth,” added Sid.
“Shall we go?” asked Phil, doubtfully.
“Of course,” asserted Tom. “And we’ll fool Zane, too. It won’t take us long to have it out with Komsky. Then we can go to one of those quick-lunch places, have a bite, and get back to college in plenty of time before locking up. We can arrange to have an expressman bring back the chair.”
“Good!” exclaimed Phil. “I was afraid you’d propose that we lug it back on the car, and while I’d do a good deal to get it again, I think we’d look foolish toting it home in our arms.”