a regular, downright fool, and I'll tell 'em so
when I get a chance. But it was my head,--it wasn't just right."

"You must take another pill, Tom. Here it is, take it as soon as you
can get some water."

"All right, Sam, you're the doctor and what you say goes. I certainly
don't want to act like I did yesterday again," and poor Tom looked
greatly worried.

"It's that crack you got on the head, Tom. You want to go slow with
studying and with all excitement. Maybe you had better go back home
and take it easy."

"Well, I will if I don't feel stronger in a week or two," was the slow
and thoughtful answer. And then Tom put his hand to the back of his
head, as he had done so many times lately.

It was not until the noon hour that the fun-loving Rover had a chance
to talk to Spud and Stanley. He went up to both of his chums frankly
and told them what he had told Sam.

"Oh, it's all right," said Spud, quickly. "I knew you weren't
yourself, Tom. Don't say anything more about it."

With Stanley, however, it was different. He had spoiled a good suit of
clothing and scratched his chin and hands. Sam had told him to send
the suit to the cleaner's at the Rovers' expense, but even this had not
altogether satisfied the big student.

"It was a mean joke, and I don't like it," said Stanley. "It was no
sort of thing to do at all, Tom Rover. If you are going to act like
that in the future I don't want anything to do with you," and he left
Tom standing helplessly where the two had met. Then Tom rejoined Sam,
feeling as uncomfortable as ever.

"I suppose it is all right, Tom," said his younger brother.

"It's all right as far as Spud is concerned," was the moody reply.

"What about Stanley, didn't you speak to him?"

"I did, but he is as mad as hops. He said if I was going to play that
kind of jokes he didn't want anything to do with me," and Tom sank in
an easy chair in the room. "Sam, I guess I put my foot in it that
time. Stanley is a fine fellow and if he talks like that he's got a
reason for it."

"He doesn't understand the situation, Tom. I'll speak to him as soon
as I get a chance."

"No, don't do it. I told him how it was, but he won't believe it. And
why should he? I'm all right, am I not? I'm not crazy, or anything
like that, am I?" and Tom looked at his brother pleadingly. "I ought
to know what I am doing."

"Of course you are not crazy, Tom. Nobody said you were. That crack
on the hea