"Razors!" said the Tennessee Shad.
"What for?" said Dennis.
"Oh, I shave, too," said the Gutter Pup, in whom the spirit of envy was beginning to work.
"And now, boys," said Stover briskly, taking off his coat, folding it carefully over a chair and beginning to unpack, "sit down. Don't act like a lot of hayseeds on a rail, but tell me what the Freshmen are like."
The manner was complete—convincing, without a trace of embarrassment. The three wits exchanged foolish glances and sat down.
"What do you weigh?" said the Gutter Pup faintly.
"One hundred and fifty-five, and I've grown an inch," said Stover, ranging on a ring a score of flashy neckties.
"I wish Lovely Mead could see those," said the Gutter Pup with a last appearance of levity.
"Call him up. Look at them yourself," said Stover, tendering the neckwear. "I think they're rather tasty myself."
Before such absolute serenity frivolity died of starvation. They made no further attempt at sarcasm, but sat awed until Stover had departed to carry the glad news of his increased weight to Captain Flash Condit.