ciates to
regard as the most contemptible thing on earth.

Two days before Christmas, Biceps Grimlund was sitting in his room,
looking gloomily out of the window. He wished to postpone as long as
possible his departure for Aunt Elsbeth's country-place, for he foresaw
that both he and she were doomed to a surfeit of each other's company
during the coming fortnight. At last he heaved a deep sigh and languidly
began to pack his trunk. He had just disposed the dear Marryat books on
top of his starched shirts, when he heard rapid footsteps on the stairs,
and the next moment the door burst open, and his classmate, Ralph Hoyer,
rushed breathlessly into the room.

"Biceps," he cried, "look at this! Here is a letter from my father, and
he tells me to invite one of my classmates to come home with me for the
vacation. Will you come? Oh, we shall have grand times, I tell you! No
end of fun!"

Albert, instead of answering, jumped up and danced a jig on the floor,
upsetting two chairs and breaking the wash-pitcher.

"Hurrah!" he cried, "I'm your man. Shake hands on it, Ralph! You have
saved me from two weeks of cats and yarn and moping! Give us your paw! I
never was so glad to see anybody in all my life."

And to prove it, he seized Ralph by the shoulders, gave him a vigorous
whirl and forced him to join in the dance.

"Now, stop your nonsense," Ralph protested, laughing; "if you have so
much strength to waste, wait till we are at home in Solheim, and you'll
have a chance to use it profitably."

Albert flung himself down on his old rep-covered sofa. It seemed to
have some internal disorder, for its springs rattled and a vague musical
twang indicated that something or other had snapped. It had seen much
maltreatment, that poor old piece of furniture, and bore visible marks
of it. When, after various exhibitions of joy, their boisterous delight
had quieted down, both boys began to discuss their plans for the
vacation.

"But I fear my groom may freeze, down there in the street," Ralph
ejaculated, cutting short the discussion; "it is bitter cold, and he
can't leave the horses. Hurry up, now, old man, and I'll help you pack."

It did not take them long to complete the packing. Albert sent a
telegram to his father, asking permission to accept Ralph's invitation;
but, knowing well that the reply would be favorable, did not think
it necessary to wait for it. With the assistance of his friend he
now wrapped himself in two overcoats