“Dale Sparkfair, you handsome rascal!” cried Merriwell, getting a good hold on the speaker’s hand.
Sparkfair it was, jolly, jovial, scintillating as ever.
“You see, I’m always loth to thrust myself forward, Dick,” said Spark. “I’ve been suppressed and sat on so much since butting into Harvard that my natural timidness and reticence has increased a thousandfold.”
“Suppressed? Sat on?” laughed Randall. “If ever there was a freshman who could not be suppressed and sat on, this fresh freshman is the one. Why, he’s had all Cambridge standing on its head the biggest part of the time since he landed there. A dozen times he’s turned the old place over to look at the bottom side of it. He has more friends and enemies to the square yard than any man at Harvard who is not a senior or a big gun in athletics.”
“Fie! fie!” remonstrated Dale. “I fear much that you will give people a false impression by the careless trippling of your tongue. Trippling is good. I think I’ll copyright it. I’m great at coining words. That’s about the only kind of coin I can get hold of lately.”
Introductions followed, Dick presenting his Yale friends to those friends of his he had unexpectedly found at Meadwold. All were then made acquainted with the young people, youths, and maids who belonged to Casper Steele’s particular set. At the very beginning of these introductions, in a cautious whisper, Sparkfair warned Dick not to exhaust his supply of “hot-air compliments” too quickly, as there were lots of pretty girls in the party, and he would need a liberal supply to go round.
Steele had turned the touring car over to his mechanician, who was awaiting the arrival at Meadwold. He now led the way into the renovated house, and the chattering guests flocked after him.
Casper’s mother was there, standing just inside the door and smiling on them all. She gave her hand to Dick and his friends as her son presented her. There were also two other middle-aged ladies who were present as chaperons.
“I’m very glad to meet Dick Merriwell,” said Mrs. Steele. “You won’t mind if I call you Dick, will you? You see, I’ve heard Casper call you that so often that it’s most natural for me.”
“I am genuinely complimented to know that you wish to call me by my Christian name, Mrs. Steele,” he bowed.