“My name is Abijah,” he said, “but I don’t choose to be called that. Understand?”
Alvin’s gaze wandered away, but after a moment he nodded.
“All right, then. Just remember that it’s going to be awfully unhealthy for you if you forget that fact, Standart.”
“You needn’t row with me,” grumbled Alvin. “I didn’t name you——”
Monty leaned forward, and waved a finger within an inch of his roommate’s nose.
“You heard me!” he said.
Alvin looked for an instant cross-eyed at the finger. Then he shrugged his shoulders, and took up his book again.
Monty pulled his chair to the other side of the table and squared himself for study. But he didn’t do much. That beastly song of Jimmy’s kept echoing through his mind.
“I didn’t choose the name I bear,