the circumstanCes. Of this type was the lad just mentioned.
With a mischievous wink at his 'partner, he took a slight step
forward and in the most cordial tone exclaimed :
" Good evening, Professor I" The Prof. started and glanced
at the speaker as though just realizing where he was. The
lad continued: "We were just preparing to have a little feed
—won't you—join us?"
The Prof. shot a glance toward the stove, upon which stood
a frying-pan, full of large pieces of fried chicken ; then, turn
ing a stern front to the lad, looked - him through and through.
The latter returned the gaze as calmly as though regarding
one of his own class-mates.
The Prof.'s face showed some surprise, but the next moment
his eyes began to twnkle merrily, the corners of his mouth
turned up and he burst into a hearty laugh.
"Well, yes—thank you—l will—be very glad to,
,indeed,"
he exclaimed.
" You'll have a bite, too, I hope ?" again spoke up the
indomitable youth, addressing the farmer. The latter had
been standing silently by, stroking his long beard, his eyes
bulging with surprise. He looked .7,t the young spokesman a
moment, then exclaimed, the wonder still on his face:
" Wall, of you ain't the
left
hunk of a boy I ever seen
yit. So them's what's left of my chickens, is they? I'm right
partial to chicken myself. Smells powerful good, I'm darned
if it don't 1 Ef the Perfesser's goin' to join yeh—well, specks
I'd better set up, too." His face lit up with a broad grin, and
as he took a chair offered him, he exclaimed :
"Sam kill, but ain't this fun !" and gave way to a loud
burst of laughter.
" Bring out the rest of them," cried the Prof., with a know
ing glance at the two lads. He was well used to the old tricks
of Prepdom.
Immediately there was a scrambling and a half dozen sheep
ish, grinning youths made their appearance. Here again the
Prof. and the farmer laughed loud and unreservedly.
The ice being now thoroughly broken, all gathered about