flushed ruddily with health and the afterglow of the day's excitement,
with hair just the color of raw silk that took on a glint of gold where
the light fell upon it, was perched cross-legged amid the cushions at
one end of the big couch, two strong, tanned, and much-scarred hands
clasping his knees. His companion and his junior by but two months, a
dark-complexioned youth with black hair and eyes and a careless,
good-natured, but rather wilful face, on which at the present moment the
most noticeable feature was a badly cut and much swollen lower lip, lay
sprawled at the other end of the couch, his chin buried in one palm.

Both lads were well built, broad of chest, and long of limb, with
bright, clear eyes, and a warmth of color that betokened the best of
physical condition. They had been friends and room-mates for two years.
This was their last year at Hillton, and next fall they were to begin
their college life together. The dark-complexioned youth rolled lazily
on to his back and stared at the ceiling. Then--

"I suppose Crozier will get the captaincy, Neil."

The boy with light hair nodded without removing his gaze from the little
flames that danced in the fireplace. They had discussed the day's
happenings thoroughly, had relived the game with St. Eustace from start
to finish, and now the big Thanksgiving dinner which they had eaten was
beginning to work upon them a spell of dormancy. It was awfully jolly,
thought Neil Fletcher, to just lie there and watch the flames
and--and--He sighed comfortably and closed his eyes. At eight o'clock
he, with the rest of the victorious team, was to be drawn about the town
in a barge and cheered at, but meanwhile there was time to just close
his eyes--and forget--everything--