to him his state of mind, in fact it was absolutely necessary
if he were to go on without an internal explosion to seek some sympathy
and understanding. But to admit to Snorky that he had actually succumbed
to Mimi the Japanese brunette, particularly when the issue was still
clothed in doubt,--was unthinkable. So Skippy invented Tina.

CHAPTER XVIII

LOVE COMES LIKE THE MEASLES

IT had all happened the Saturday before, when for reasons of her own
Miss Clara Bedelle (the reasons taking shape in the heroic figure of
Turkey Reiter, captain of the eleven, and the Triumphant Egghead,
premier danseur of the school) had asked Skippy to invite those heroes,
as she, being already wise in protective knowledge, preferred not to
show her affection too directly. Skippy, on receipt of these sisterly
directions, had been in a towering rage, for it had never occurred to
him that men of the world such as Turkey and the Egghead would for a
moment condescend. If it had not been for the added bait of a Princeton
game, he would never have found the courage. The result upset all his
preconceived theories, and it was not until he found himself on the high
road to Princeton, actually squeezed into a buggy between two eager and
enthusiastic lords of the school that he attempted to reason it out. The
attempt, however, was beyond him. If girls as such were
incomprehensible, how the deuce was he, Skippy Bedelle, to conceive that
such a thing as a sister, particularly his sister, could arouse any
enthusiasm?

"Guess it's the grub and the game all right," he reflected finally.
"Anyhow they will let me alone, that's something."

At lunch it did seem that his wish was to be gratified and despite
certain sisterly glances of reproach, he was able to secure a third
helping of roast beef and a double portion of ice cream and cake, with
the connivance of Miss Biggs the chaperone, while Sister and Miss
Lafontaine attended to the chatter. So engrossed was he in this attempt
to stock up for the long week ahead, that he completely failed to notice
the comedy which was being played to the greater edification of Mr.
Turkey Reiter and the obvious disconcerting of the Triumphant Egghead,
who was being neglected flagrantly and openly for mysterious reasons
known only to the ladies.

Skippy, therefore, was totally unprepared, as he was both shocked and
terrified, suddenly to find himself at the side of Miss Mimi, with
Turkey and his sister behind, whi