"Well, they tell me you fellows are in for desperate deeds this year," he said.
"How's that?" asked Cowan.
"Aren't you in on the sophomore councils? Why, I'm told that if the freshmen don't give up the dinner plan I'm to be kidnaped."
"How'd you hear--" began Cowan. Then he paused with some confusion. "Who told you that rot?" he asked with a laugh.
"Oh, it came in a roundabout way," answered Livingston. "I dare say it's just talk."
"Some freshman nonsense," said Cowan. "I guess we'll do our best to keep you fellows from eating too much, but--" He shrugged his big shoulders. Livingston, observing him shrewdly, began for the first time since intelligence of the supposed project had reached him to give credence to it. But he laughed carelessly as he turned away.
"Oh, well, we have to keep you fellows amused, of course, and if you like to try kidnaping you may."
"I wish the sophs would try it," said Neil warmly. Cowan turned to him.
"Well, if they did--if they did--I guess they'd succeed," he drawled.
"Well, if they do--if they do," answered Neil, "I'll bet they won't succeed."