“Improve his state? You mean he was—was hard up?” asked Bert suspiciously.
“I can’t say. I’ve been told it was to improve his state. That’s all I know.”
Hugh laughed. “You began it, Bert! Honors are even. As judge of the debate, I declare it a draw.”
Bert smiled slowly. Then: “All right, Baker,” he said amiably, “you win! Fact is, I don’t know anything about Delaware or a thing against it. Sorry if I trod on your toes.”
“You didn’t, Winslow; I moved them out of the way,” laughed Dud.
After the latter had taken his departure and the two roommates were preparing for bed, Hugh heard a grunt from the opposite chamber. “What’s troubling you?” he called.
“Nothing,” was the answer. “I was just thinking that that kid isn’t such a fool, after all, eh?”
“Well,” replied Hugh, winking at himself in the glass, “I rather fancy he had you, old top.”
Bert’s only response was another grunt, but it sounded assenting.