Page:The Rival Pitchers.djvu/16

6 "Oh, we know that," put in Langridge. "But we'll all be wearing them after next week, and we'll be wearing something else, too."

"Nixy on the clapper, old chap!" called Denfield. "We won't stand for that."

"We'll see," responded Langridge. "All is not gold that doesn't come out in the wash."

"Ha! He speaks in parables!" cried Morse. "Well done, old chap! But come on, Denfield. I've got a date."

The youth holding Fenton gave him a sudden turn and twist that sent him spinning to the ground, and as he picked himself up the two sophomores walked off, as dignified as senators.

"Confound them!" muttered Fenton as he brushed the dust off his clothes. "I've a good mind to"

"Easy, now," advised Langridge. "They're sophs, you know. Go easy!"

"But that's no reason why we should let them walk all over us!" exclaimed a sturdy lad, who had watched, with rising anger, the attack on Fenton. "I don't see why a crowd of us fellows should take whatever mean things they want to inflict."

"That's all right, Clinton," declared Langridge.

"It's college custom, just the same as it is for us to take the clapper out of the chapel bell, have it melted up, and cast into watch charms. It's college custom, that's all."