"All right, then," said the Goblin, "fill glasses everyone, and
we'll solemnize the oath. Brother Scorpions, I do you to wit that
we all, jointly and severally, promise not to take any steps
toward making the acquaintance of said Kathleen until so
authorized by the whole society. So help me God!"

They all drank to this, with some chuckles.

"What a lark if we could get Kathleen down for Eights Week!" said
someone.

"Very likely Joe will have her here," said Whitney. "You seem to
forget that he's been rowing this course for some time."

They all scowled.

"I wonder how many members of the 'varsity are called Joe?" Keith
asked.

"About three hundred, I dare say," said Falstaff.

"I tell you what we might do," said Forbes. "When the yarn's
finished we can send it to her, explain just how the whole thing
happened, and ask permission to call. She's got a sense of
humour, I'll swear!"

"Balmy!" retorted Falstaff. "She'd probably be frightfully fed
because you bagged her letter! 'S a hell of a thing to do, crib a
lady's letter!"