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 CHAPTER XVII

WATTLES USES COERCION

"Is it necessary, sir, for Tom Kemble to ask for permission to cut study hour himself?"

"How's that?" asked Mr. McKnight, smiling. "If Kemble cut study hour he would have to do it himself, wouldn't he Bingham?"

"Yes, sir. I meant, does he have to ask himself?"

"It would be much better if he asked me, or one of the other faculty members," responded "Lovey" gravely. "His own permission, supposing he obtained it, would hardly be sufficient, I fear."

Clif laughed. For once he didn't find Mr. McKnight's fooling very funny, but he must be diplomatic. "I guess I can't say it right, sir, but you know mighty well what I mean."

"I suspect I do, Bingham. Kemble wants to be excused from study hour, and has sent you as his ambassador. I am to presume, I fancy, that he is too ill to make the request himself. Or does he think that you'll prove more successful than he would?" Mr. McKnight's eyes were twinkling.

"No, sir," answered Clif earnestly, "it really isn't that way, Mr. McKnight. He—he isn't able to come."

"I'm sorry. It isn't anything serious, I hope." The instructor's voice was so genuinely sympathetic that