Billy?" presently asked Jack,
taking off his coat and hanging it on a hook. "Mine is a little too
warm, but you don't mind that."

"Now I wonder if he has got onto it?" thought Billy. "He could not have
been up here since."

"It will only be for to-night," Jack added.

"What's the use of changing?" asked Billy. "I don't like too warm a bed
myself."

"Oh, this isn't too warm, just warm enough for you," laughed Jack.

"He has got onto something," thought Billy, "and wants to see me go
down. Not much, I won't."

"Why can't you be obliging, Billy?" asked Arthur. "I'm sure I'd do a
little thing like that if I was asked."

"I wonder if they are both in it?" thought the young joker.

"Oh, well, it doesn't matter," said Jack, taking off his waistcoat and
hanging it up over his coat.

"You can have my bed if you want it, Jack," said Arthur. "I don't see
why Billy is so disobliging."

"Well, I did not mean it for him," thought Billy, "but it will be his
own fault if he makes the change."

"Billy's is better," laughed Jack, "but still I don't mind changing with
you if you don't object."

"Not in the least," said Arthur. "You're an obliging fellow, Mr. William
Manners."

"Very bad manners, I should say," laughed Harry.

"Oh, well, I am a bit particular, I suppose," said Billy, "but I get
accustomed to a thing and don't like to change. It's the same with a
seat at table or a desk in the schoolroom."

Billy had been in a hurry to get ready for bed in case the boys tried to
persuade him to change his mind, and now he threw back the covers and
plumped himself in without further delay.

In a moment there were several surprises.

First, the bed went all to pieces and let the rather stout young fellow
down upon the floor in the most unceremonious fashion.

Then there was a loud report, as if a pistol had been set off, and a lot
of smoke puffed up in Billy's face.

Next the washstand tipped over and Billy received a ducking much worse
than he had got on the night that Jack's water pitcher had been
overturned upon him.

"Hello! what's the matter with Billy?" asked several of the boys.

"Oh, you prefer that sort of bed, do you?" asked Arthur.

"Maybe that is why he did not want to let Jack have it," added Harry.

"Enjoy yourself, Billy," said Jack with a smile, sitting on his own bed.

Nothing happened, much to Billy's surprise and disappointment.

"How is this?" the joker asked as he got up. "Did I fix the w