It was after eight. The riotous celebration had dwindled to mere sporadic outbursts of joy out on the campus. Ted was talking with George on the window-seat in their study. The victory had put the captain in high spirits and since dinner he had returned to the old footing with his room-mate. They had talked the game over from first play to last, and Ted, happy in the renewal of friendly relations, was seeking a fresh topic lest George should become bored with his society and go away when there was a knock at the door and Hal strode in. Recalling the threat he had made, Ted viewed his appearance with some apprehension, but Hal showed no intention of removing Ted’s “block” in the designated manner.
“I got something to show you fellows,” announced Hal, striding across to the window. “Look here. Read that. No, wait a minute till I tell you.” He drew back the sheet of paper he had thrust toward George. “I thought it would be only the decent thing if I thanked Plaister for cancelling that account, see? So yesterday I wrote a nice little note and mailed it to him. This is what I got in answer. Found it in my room after supper. Read it out loud, George.”
“‘Jabed Plaister, General Emporium, Dealer in——’”
“Never mind that,” interrupted Hal impatiently. “Read the writing.”
“If I can,” agreed George. “Let’s see. ‘Dear Sir: Yours of like date to hand. I gave the other boy a receipted bill and I don’t know what you are talking about unless you are trying to get funny and I’ll tell you plain there’s a law for such as you. And if you hadn’t paid I would have seen your principle just like I said I was. Lucky for you you did. Respectfully, Jabed Plaister.’ Not so very respectful, either! Well, what about it, Hal?”
“Don’t you see? Someone paid that bill. I didn’t. Who did? That’s what I came here to find out.” He turned suddenly to Ted. “Did you?” he demanded.
Ted stared back blankly.
“Did you?” insisted Hal. “You did! What for? Why——”
“He hasn’t said so,” interposed George.