The boy’s eyes shifted and dropped. “They—they were hazing me,” he muttered.
“Hazing you! Oh, surely not! Hazing isn’t indulged in here. Mister—er—what did you say the name was? Rabbit?”
“My name’s Cotton. I don’t care what you call it, but they were trying to make me hold my head in a basin of water.”
“In a basin of water? What an odd thing to do! Why, Mr. Cotton?”
“They said”—Cotton gulped angrily—“they said they wanted to see if I was absorbent.”
“Absorbent? Oh, I see; absorbent cotton.” Gerald laughed and even Kendall had to smile a little. “Well, were you?”
“I got away from them,” he growled.
“Oh, well, that wouldn’t have hurt you any, you know. In fact”—and Gerald smiled slightly—“in fact a little water might be beneficial, Cotton.”
Cotton scowled. “Well, they needn’t think they can do that sort of thing to me. I’m too old a bird. I’ve been to school before. And if they try any more of their funny stunts, someone will get hurt!”
“I don’t like your attitude,” said Gerald coldly. “A little fun doesn’t hurt anyone, and as you’re a newcomer, Cotton, you must expect a certain amount of ragging. I think you’ll find the coast clear now.”