"Do you like him, Fairy? Don't you think he's tiresome? He talks so
much, it seems to me."

"To be sure I like him. He's great fun. He's always joking and never
has a sensible thought, and hates study. He's an amusing soul, I must
say. He's going to attend here a couple of years, and then study
pharmacy. His father is a druggist in Ottumwa, and quite well off.
The only reason Babbie came here instead of going to a big college in
the East is because his father is a trustee. Trustees are in honor
bound to send their offspring to the college they trustee,--just as
ministers are obliged to trade with the members when possible."

"Even if they short-weight and long-charge you," put in Carol.

"Carol!" exclaimed Prudence reprovingly. "Well, we'll serve oyster
stew then. Will you eat in the dining-room?"

"No, we'll eat on the little table in the front room,--informally, you
know. You must get it ready, and arrange it nicely on the big tray.
Then you must come to the door and say, 'Wouldn't you like a little
oyster stew?' Say it carelessly, as if we always have something to eat
before going to bed. And I'll say, 'Oh, yes, Prudence, bring it right
in.' Then you bring it in, and we'll all eat together.--That's the way
to do it! Babbie's had dates with the very swellest girls in school,
and he knows about such things. We must do it up brown!"

"Swell!" mocked Lark. "Do it up brown! Oh, you'll be a record-breaker
of a college professor all right. I'm sure this young Babler is just
the type of man to interest the modern college professor! Swell! Do