I flamed out and rose to my feet.
"Are you alluding to me, sir?"
"Take your seat, sir. I deny your right to question me."
"I will not take my seat. I do not propose to sit still and be insulted. I demand an answer to my question."
"Take your seat, I say. I will report you to the Faculty," he shouted.
"Then you will have to do so very quickly; for I shall report you immediately." And with that, I stalked out of the room. The Faculty met that afternoon and I laid my complaint before them, and as the students, knowing the inside facts, took my side, the Faculty held that the Professor committed the first breach and reprimanded us both. I was well satisfied after I had met and cut the Professor publicly.
I now acknowledge the untowardness of the situation; but when the boys laughed, I pooh-poohed it.
"I do not speak to old Sterner, but I will speak to her the first time I meet her."
"I will bet you do not," cried Sam Pleasants.
"Supper for the crowd," chimed in several. They were always as ready to bet as their long-haired ancestors were in the German forests, where they bet themselves away, and kept their faith, to the amazement of a Roman gentleman, who wrote, "istam vocant fidem."