The lads drifted out into a large square in front of the building where the lecture had been given. It was not very late and there was no special reason for hurrying back. There were some good-natured chaffing on both sides, some laughter and inquiries after more or less popular or unpopular instructors. Then, like a flash from a clear sky, someone in the crowd of Waterside lads called out mockingly:
"There are the dubs who think they can row!"
He probably did not refer to Frank and their chums in particular, but meant to include the whole school. For a moment there was a silence, and then Jack Sanderson sang out:
"Yes, and there are the dubs who don't know how to answer a challenge in a gentlemanly way!"
It was a direct call-down for the athletic committee, members of which were present.
Once more a silence and then there burst out many remarks and calls from both sides, each one intended to be insulting.
"Look at the aristocrats who row in kid gloves!" yelled a Riverview lad.
"How did you farmers ever get time enough away from picking the hayseeds out of your hair to come to town?" some Waterside wit wanted to know.
"Those are the fellows who sleep in silk pajamas!" was a Riverview retort.
"Ha! Down there at Riverview they haven't any blankets, so they sleep in their clothes!" sneered a lad who evidently knew of the poverty of the school of our heroes.