"I tell you it is so, Aleck Parks! Look out! Who's treading on my toes? Yes, I saw him myself, only a few minutes ago, walking along as if he owned the whole earth. And when he got to Mr. Rupert Barry's he turned and went up those steps. Quit leaning against me, Luke Phelps. Are you too lazy to support your own hundred and fifteen pounds? Oh—there's Joe Rodgers over there!"
"Finish your story!" cried Parks.
"It isn't any story; it's true. Captain Bunderley didn't come out for twenty-five and a half minutes."
"Wonder what in thunder he went there for?" inquired Luke Phelps.
"Crackers" Brown, standing near the doorway, moved leisurely toward the group.
"Straight goods, Benny?" he asked, pleasantly.
"Certainly is. I jotted down a note, too. Reads like this: 'The Crackerites probably get their first big jolt.' You know, Brown, what the Cap thinks of this 'For-the-good-of-the-school' business."
"He's an old meddler," said Brown, in a low tone. "The first thing you know he'll be stirring up trouble."
"I know something else, 'Crackers,' and it ought to put more ginger into your voice. When he left Mr. Barry the 'Ancient Mariner' came hiking right over to the school."
"He did?" exclaimed Brown.