if a fellow can't take a joke what good is he?"

"That's right!" came in a chorus. "If they make any trouble for you,
Sam, let us know."

"I will, but I don't think they will. Ah! here comes the eats! Pitch
in, fellows!"

"You're the stuff, Sam!" came from several. "And that sure was a joke
on Tom Fairfield and his crowd," added a voice. "A corking good joke!"

There was more laughter and talk, and in the next room to the jolly
party sat Tom, looking at his friend Bruce in wonder.




CHAPTER V

TOM DECIDES

"Well?" asked Bruce questioningly, after a pause. "What do you think
of my experiment, Tom?"

"Is this it?"

"It is. Are you ready now to go on with your plan of reading Sam out
of the class, so to speak?"

Tom did not answer for a moment.