"Zip—boom—hooray for the captain of the Stars!" called out a boy almost as tall as Tom Clifton.
"Hello, Hackett! Hello, Talbot!" greeted Nat. "Gee—there's 'Crackers,' too. Howdy, everybody! Fellows, let me introduce Owen Lawrence."
The latter was busy for a few moments exchanging salutations. Then he plumped himself down on a chair, which the smiling Terry Guffin pushed toward him.
Mr. Guffin was pleased—the round, cherubic face under his chef's white cap plainly showed it. A new customer to the "Retreat" generally meant a permanent customer so long as he remained a boy—and sometimes after.
Owen was soon holding a rapid-fire talk with Kirk Talbot, John Hackett, Benny Wilkins, Ted Pollock, and a heavy-set, stoop-shouldered boy wearing spectacles, and who was invariably addressed as "Crackers."
"'Crackers'?" queried Owen, at one of the infrequent pauses.
The heavy-set boy flushed slightly. A ripple of mirth was communicated to various groups.
"Ha, ha!" grinned Nat. "He doesn't do it any more."
"Do what?" asked the new student.
"Why, at one time he almost supported a cracker foundry," explained Nat—"never seemed to be separated from a large bag of them."