[CHAPTER XXVI]
“TUBBY” PACKS A BAG
Gerald hadn’t seen Dan for several days, and on Saturday he set out shortly before twelve, having gone through the form of eating an early luncheon, with eager steps. Gerald didn’t use the automobile nowadays when he wanted to merely go around the corner. Dan had laughed him out of that. All the way through the Yardley woods and up the hill Gerald tasted in anticipation the delight and excitement of the afternoon’s contest. The game was to begin at two o’clock and Gerald hoped to have a half-hour with Dan before it. He went up to Dan’s room, found it empty and sat down to wait. After awhile Tubby appeared. He didn’t seem pleased to discover Gerald in possession, and his stare of surprise gave place to a frown of annoyance. Gerald felt that he ought to apologize.
“I wanted to see Dan,” he said, “but I can wait outside just as well if you want to—to dress or anything.”
Tubby hesitated. His first impulse was to drive Gerald out, to give vent to the dislike which he entertained for the younger boy. But Tubby was in a strange mood to-day, and instead he only said, almost graciously, “I’m not going to dress—much. You can stay here.”
Then he looked at his watch, frowned and asked Gerald the time.
“Twenty-two minutes of one,” answered Gerald, looking at his own watch. Tubby corrected his timepiece with a growl for its eccentricities. “I wonder when Dan will be here,” pursued Gerald timidly. “Have you seen him lately?”
“Saw him in commons at dinner,” replied Tubby.
“Oh, have you had dinner?”
“Yes, had it early on account of the game. I suppose you knew there was to be a game?” The irony was lost on Gerald.