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 of the evening if Ned hadn't insisted on speculating as to the effect of the telegram on the addressee. Ned just couldn't seem to let the subject alone. Laurie became very much bored, and when Ned, later, came out with the brilliant suggestion of having Miss Comfort added to the school faculty as professor of pastry Laurie threw a book at him.

The following morning Kewpie was absolutely exasperating when they met beside the gymnasium. He had brought his precious book with him and insisted on pausing between pitches to study diagrams and directions, occasioning long waits and leaving Laurie with nothing to do save indulge in feeble sarcasms that affected Kewpie no whit. Kewpie was struggling with what he earnestly told Laurie was an out-drop. Laurie sarcastically replied that Kewpie was at liberty to call it anything he pleased, out-drop, floater, in-shoot, or fade-away; they all looked the same to him when Kewpie pitched 'em! Kewpie looked almost hurt, and Laurie recalled Polly's injunction not to discourage the aspirant for pitching honors, and so presently told Kewpie that one of his offerings "looked pretty good."