"Fust place," said Texas, briefly, "want to thank you fo' lickin' me."
"Welcome," said Mark.
"Second place, do it ag'in if I ever lose my temper."
"Welcome," said Mark.
"Third place, I want to 'pologize."
"What's up? What's happened to convince you?"
"Nothin' much," said Texas, "only I been a' findin' out what a fool I am. Hones' now, Mark," and as Mark looked into the other's pleading gray eyes he saw that Texas meant it. "Hones' now, this yere's fust time I ever 'pologized in my life. I'm sorry."
And Mark took him by the hand. They were friends again from that moment.
"I jist saw that second note from Mary Adams upstairs," explained Texas, "an' then I knowed them ole cadets had fooled you that way ag'in. Say, Mark, you're mos' as big a fool as me—mos'."
"That note was genuine," answered Mark. And then as he saw Texas' amazement, he led him aside and explained. "I'll tell you about it," said he, "for I can trust you not to tell. But I can't explain to the rest of the class, and I won't, either, though they may call me a coward if they choose.