The front rank went over like so many nine pins. Stover, pleased with the effect, waved his hand and disappeared to pay his militant respects to The Roman who led him to the light and looked him over with unconcealed amazement.
When Dink had gone to his old room the Tennessee Shad, the Gutter Pup and Dennis de Brian de Boru Finnegan were already awaiting him, with heads critically slanted.
"Tell us the worst," said the Gutter Pup.
"Are you married?" said the Tennessee Shad.
"Let's see her photograph," said Dennis de Brian de Boru Finnegan.
Now, Stover had foreseen the greeting and the question and had come prepared. He opened his valise and, taking out a case, arranged a dozen photographs on his bureau, artfully concealing the one and only in a temporarily subordinate position.
The three village loungers arose and stationed themselves in front of the portrait gallery.
"Why, he must be perfectly irresistible!" said the Gutter Pup.
"Dink," said Dennis, "do all these girls love you?"
Stover, disdaining a reply, selected another case.