“I could,” Jimmy replied. “But I’m going to have some clams first. Which soup is the fillingest?”
A boy of about their own age, which is to say seventeen or eighteen, began pouring water into the glasses, which led Jimmy to observe for the first time that the waiters were all masculine and youthful, though most of them were older than their own attendant. Just then Harley’s foot collided painfully with Jimmy’s ankle and the latter emitted a loud howl of anguish that attracted the disapproving curiosity of the neighboring diners.
“Shut up, you idiot!” whispered Stanley severely.
“That’s all right,” returned Jimmy aggrievedly, rubbing the injured ankle under the table, “but he pretty near killed me with that big hoof of his! Gee, Mac, what’s the prodigious conception?”
“Sorry,” muttered Harley, his eyes on the menu. “Do we all want clams? All right, clams for three, then.” This latter to the waiter at his elbow.
“Will you order your soup and fish now, please?” asked the waiter. “It saves time.”
“Sure. Let’s see. I’ll have the cream of celery. What’s yours, Stan?”
“Oxen tails for me,” said Jimmy. “And a large portion of that bluing fish.”
The waiter took himself off and Harley leaned toward Jimmy with a scowl. “Didn’t you see who that was, you dumb-bell?”
“See who what was?” asked Jimmy, glancing around blankly.
“Emerson, one of our fellows. You know him. A junior, I think.”
Jimmy shook his head. “I don’t know any Emerson, Mac. You mean the chap that’s waiting on us is an Alton fellow?”
“Sure! What did you think I kicked you for?”
“I thought you just wanted to show your love for me. What’s he doing here?”
“Waiting on table,” replied Stanley. “Haven’t you any eyes?”
“Yes, but I mean-- Well, it seems a funny thing for an Alton fellow, doesn’t it?”
“Guess all these waiters are students,” returned Stanley. “College men, a lot of them. I suppose Emerson needs the money.”
“Well, yes, he would,” agreed Jimmy readily, “if he’s staying at this joint. I must have a look at him. I dare say I know him by sight. What’s he do?”
Harley shrugged. “Nothing much, I guess. Seems to me, though, he was playing on the second team last fall.”
Harley nodded, and Stanley confirmed him. “Yes, he’s been on the second a couple of years. You’ll remember him when you see him, Jimmy, for you must have played with him year before last.”