“Didn’t you hear about it?” Jimmy looked at him incredulously. “Why, Dud Baker gave him an awful calling down this morning and Star took it like a lamb. Say, that kid certainly has got spunk!”
Stiles viewed the other suspiciously, but Jimmy’s countenance expressed truth and quiet amusement. Stiles grunted. Then he said “Huh!” doubtfully.
“Star was mad as a hornet about something Dud said; some joke or other, you know.”
Stiles nodded. “Yes, about the hockey team dying of Star-vation.”
“Was that it? Well, anyway, he got after Dud and wanted Dud to apologize and Dud told him to chase himself, that it was all true and that every fellow in school knew it, and a lot more. And Star was mad enough to bite! Think of Dud getting away with it!”
“I saw it,” said Stiles, “but it didn’t look—just like that to me. Star had Baker by the arm and it looked like he was reading the riot act to him. And then he tried to kick him and Baker beat it.”
“Good thing for Star he did, then,” said Jimmy knowingly. “I’d hate to stand up to Dud Baker when he was riled!”
“I didn’t know he was—that sort,” said Stiles interestedly. They had reached the entrance to Trow and paused at the door.
“Dud Baker? Didn’t you ever hear why he left the school he was at before he came here?”
Stiles shook his head.