Dud, aware of more than one amused countenance, moved away and sought the locker-room, conscious that his cheeks were very red. Jimmy, already out of his gymnasium togs, noticed and frowned disapprovingly.
“Why the blushes, Dud?” he asked severely.
Dud muttered something evasive and passed on to his locker. But later Jimmy wormed it out of him. Jimmy always could. And Jimmy frowned once more. “We’ll have to do something with Star,” he said thoughtfully, “something to make him have a little more respect for his betters. I wonder——”
Dud laughed. “I thought wondering was my stunt, Jimmy.”
“So it is. I don’t wonder, then. I—I merely speculate. Look here, Dud, know what I think?” Dud shook his head hopelessly. “Well, then,” Jimmy went on, “I think you’d better have a show-down with Star.”
“What sort of a—a show-down?” faltered Dud.
“I mean pick a quarrel with him and fight him. You see, Star has a good deal of influence, and I’m afraid he’s been talking. One or two things have reached me, you know. What we’d better do is make an impression on him.”
“Thanks!”
“You’re not much of a slugger, are you?” Dud shook his head. “No, I suppose not,” continued Jimmy thoughtfully. “Well, neither am I, but I guess there are a few tricks I could teach you. Besides, I have a hunch that Star isn’t any fonder of scrapping than you are. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if you could bluff him, Dud. Of course, I may be wrong, but that’s my idea of him.”