Greaser Tunxton looked at him hard and thoughtfully before replying.
"You see, citronella comes out in the wash, but there are one or two other things much stronger."
"Citronella's pretty strong!" said Snorky, who began to wonder if he had promised too rashly.
"Ever heard of asafœtida?" said Skippy, with his hand on the chemical genius.
"That's the stuff you put on the furnace at co-ed schools when you want a cut," said Snorky, who knew the story of Dink Stover's reasons for coming to Lawrenceville.
"It is quite possible," said Greaser in his smileless, scientific manner, "that, properly treated, a mixture of silk and cotton, possibly wool, will retain enough of the essential quality of asafœtida for at least a dozen washings—"
"Isn't citronella bad enough?" said Snorky, with a horrible misgiving.
"It's extremely doubtful," said Greaser, shaking his head, "but I don't want to say anything definitely before we make exhaustive experiments."
"Where?" said Snorky, shrinking. "If it's down at the pond again, good night!"
"Green!" said Skippy wrathfully.