“And I didn’t ask to be put in with a bear,” replied Hugh mildly. “What’s wrong with you, anyhow, old chap? Anything I’ve done?”
“There isn’t anything wrong,” responded Bert crossly, “except that a fellow likes a certain amount of freedom in his own rooms. You seem to think you own this place!”
“Piffle! Go ahead and walk if it does you any good.” Hugh smiled as he turned back to his book. Probably Bert was looking for grievances, for that smile instead of bringing peace produced a fresh outburst.
“You bet I’ll walk! And let me tell you another thing, Ordway. I had this room picked out long before you ever thought of coming here, and if another chap hadn’t quit school you wouldn’t be here. Anyone would think from the airs you put on that this dormitory was built especially for you.”
“Then let me tell you something, Bert,” said Hugh, losing patience at last. “My mother wanted me to take this room by myself and she engaged it last spring. Later the secretary wrote that they had had another application for it and would I mind sharing the suite. And I said I wouldn’t, although the mater was dead against it. So if you think I’m here through any kindness of yours you’re all wrong.”
Bert stared in surprise. “I don’t believe it,” he said at last. “They wouldn’t rent this suite to one fellow. They never do.”
“They did, however. If you don’t believe me I can show you the paper. It’s in my dispatch-box in there. Mind you, I’m not fussing about it, but I’m hanged if you can tell me I got in here because you said so!”
“Oh, I suppose you’re such a swell they let down the rules for you,” sneered Bert. “I dare say they thought you were the Prince of Wales, with your silly valet and your coat-of-arms and all the rest of the piffle! You make me mighty tired, if you want to know.”
“Sorry,” said Hugh shortly. “But I don’t see what’s going to be done about it. I’m plaguey sure I’m not going to get out of here to oblige you, old chap.”
“All right, but as long as you stay you can be mighty sure that I’m going to do as I please here, you pig-headed Britisher!”