nd of the table, began to enjoy himself audibly.

"The low-down hound!" said Skippy, writhing on his seat.

In his calculations, he had completely forgotten the purchase of the
afternoon. In turn he rose, delved into the debris of his closet and,
returning, spread before his end of the table one tin of deviled turkey
(Snorky's favorite), a large piece of American cheese and a bottle of
root beer.

It had now become a battle of wits, with each resolved to impress the
other with the delicious satisfaction that he was experiencing and each
gazing from time to time at a point directly above the other's head.
There were six eclairs. Snorky ate four rapidly, licking his fingers
with gusto after each.

Then he ate the fifth eclair more slowly and with some effort. Despite
all his self-control Skippy's gaze could not turn from that
last-surviving member of the chocolate family. He was suffering
tortures, but suffering under a calm and smiling exterior.

"Hello!" said Snorky suddenly, talking to himself. "I almost forgot."

He rose and left the room to Skippy and the sixth eclair. Tantalus, amid
his parched seeking of a cooling draught, never suffered more anguish
than Skippy sitting there before that undefended eclair, with only a
gesture intervening.

"Of all the mean, dirty, contemptible tricks!" he said angrily between
his teeth, revolting at this most treacherous trap. For he must not, he
could not, no matter what the pain he must endure, admit defeat by
falling on that eclair. He rose and went to the window. Certainly he had
been mistaken in Snorky; no one who would carry a quarrel to such
fiendish lengths had the largeness of spirit that he had the right to
demand in a chum.

When Snorky returned, he glanced in some surprise at the untouched
eclair. Then he lifted it gingerly, examined it closely to see if it
contained any foreign corrupting matter, and, his appetite restored by
the lapse of time, ate it with smacking relish.

Skippy, crouched in his chair, ground his teeth and tried to shut out
the tantalizing sounds. Snorky began to hum gaily to himself. Then,
proceeding across the direct line of his roommate's vision, he took up
the latest photograph and contemplated it with a little exaggerated
rapture. It was the last straw. Skippy's rage burst forth in a loud and
insulting guffaw.

"Ha, ha!"

Snorky, to whom the advantage of the situation was now apparent, took up
each photograph in turn and smiled wit