XVIII
Dink returned to his room in a rage against everything and every one, at Slugger Jones for having submitted the question, at Tough McCarty for having looked as though he expected a lie, and at himself for ever having acted as linesman.
If it had not been the last days before the Andover match he would have found some consolation in rushing over to the Woodhull and provoking McCarty to the long-deferred fight.
"He thought I'd lie out of it," he said furiously. "He did; I saw it. I'll settle that with him, too. Now I suppose every one in this house'll be down on me; but they'd better be mighty careful how they express it."
For as he had left the field he had heard only too clearly how the Kennedy eleven, in the unreasoning passion of conflict, had expressed itself. At present, through the open window, the sounds of violent words were borne up to him from below. He approached and looked down upon the furious assembly.
"Damn me up and down, damn me all you want," he said, doubling up his fists. "Keep it up, but don't come up to me with it."
Suddenly, back of him, the door opened and shut and Dennis de Brian de Boru Finnegan stood in the room.
"I say, Dink——"
"Get out," said Stover furiously, seizing a pillow.
Finnegan precipitately retired and, placing the door between him and the danger, opened it slightly and inserted his freckled little nose.