“Where’s the water? All the mustard in those pickles got on top and--” He buried his face in the pitcher that Dave held out.
“Serves you right,” grinned Wayne. “Had no business tasting things.”
“I like your cheek,” said Don indignantly. “You’ve been sitting there eating biscuits for five minutes. Look, Dave, he’s eaten the whole top layer off!”
“Pig!” cried Dave, and rescued the tin, placing it on the table, where it was flanked by sheets of writing paper in lieu of dishes holding potted duck, mince tarts, a pineapple cheese, and preserved figs, the latter overflowing in sticky streams on to the table top.
“What’ll we crack the nuts with, Dave?” asked Don.
“Nuts? Find one of Paddy’s football brogans in the closet. Crack ’em on the hearth and stuff the shells in Paddy’s bed. Too late, though--he’s coming, and he’s got some one with him. Let’s welcome ’em.”
Paddy and Greene entered amid a fusillade of walnuts and cork stoppers, and by concerted action ran Dave into a closet and turned the key on him.
“I’m It,” replied Paddy, striking an attitude. “And Greene’s a back number--aren’t you, Greeney? And I can pommel you all I want and not lose my place on the team, can’t I?”
“_Hooray!_” It was the muffled tones of Dave from the closet.
“Shut up, you! Greene withdrew and so I got the captaincy. He could have had it again if he’d wanted it.”
“Rot!” said Greene. “I was out of it, and I knew it. Besides, I didn’t want it again. Three times is too much. I’m awfully glad it went to Paddy. He’ll make a good captain, Cunningham; don’t you think so?” Don’s reply was interrupted by the sound of breaking wood. Dave emerged from the closet in a heap, and, picking himself up, seized Paddy and forced him into a wild dance about the room.
“Hooray for Paddy--Captain Paddy!” he shouted. In the dance Paddy’s nice white bandage came off and exposed a very black eye, which lent a thoroughly desperate and disreputable look to the countenance of the newly elected captain of the football team.
“By the way, Greene, do you know Gordon?” asked Paddy, as the boys found seats about the table and without further ceremony began the feast. Greene didn’t, and very graciously shook hands.
“You’re the fellow that got spunky to-day, aren’t you?” he asked smilingly. Wayne nodded, looking bored.