“That’s good of you,” said Cal. “I just thought—you see I ain’t ever borrowed any money before and I don’t believe my mother would like it.”
“Oh, it’s just until you get your own money,” replied Ned carelessly. “There’s no harm in that. Borrowing’s all right when you can pay back. All the fellows borrow. Spud owes fifty cents right now. I must remind him of it when he gets his next letter. Spud’s a little bit forgetful, you see. I’ll give you the money when we get to the Den.”
But Dutch Zoller challenged him to a set of tennis as soon as they got around the corner of the house and Ned forgot the money for the time being.
“Tell you what I’ll do, Dutch,” said Ned. “I’ll play you and Cal.”
Dutch viewed Cal dubiously.
“But he doesn’t play, does he?”
“No, but neither do you, Dutch; not much, that is,” replied Ned meanly. “You see, I’ll beat you in either case.”
“You could give me thirty on a game,” Dutch suggested. “That would make it more interesting for you.”
“Thirty! Well, I like your nerve! Look here, if you don’t want to play that way I’ll take Cal with me and you play against the two of us.”
“I’d rather not,” Cal protested. “I don’t know anything about it, Ned.”