the merry laugh and the gay repartee went round.
"Hallo, Forsythe!" exclaimed Barrington, "how do you stand it? I think
this concern is as ponderous as if the old fat Doctor were inside it
himself!" "I conceive this joke to be rather a heavy one," replied his
friend, laughing. "I begin to wonder if we are not fools for our pains:
Dr. Franklin would say that we paid too dear for our whistle." "Never
give up the ship, my boy!" cried the other. "Only think how the old
Doctor will stare about him to-morrow, when he misses it! It will be a
second edition of the Professor's horse." "Now, 'an thou lovest me,
Hal,' don't say a word about the Professor's horse, or I'll turn back
with the carriage. That cost me to the tune of a hundred dollars, and
more, not to speak of the remorse I felt when the poor creature died.
But didn't he look comical when I had put on the green!" Thus, with
jocund peals of laughter, they shortened the way, until they reached the
little piece of woods in which they intended to deposit the coach. Had
they been obliged to toil as much to gain their daily bread, they would
probably have thought it hard work.

They took down the bars, drew in the carriage, and placed it in a snug
position, out of sight. "And now for home!" said Forsythe. "Won't we get
there a little sooner than we came?" At that moment the carriage window
was thrown up, a large white head was put forth into the moonlight, and,
to the horror of all concerned, they beheld the Doctor! Whether to run,
or what to do, they did not know. The old President enjoyed their
confusion for a few moments, and then said, "Much obliged to you for a
pleasant ride, young gentlemen: now, suppose we go home again." Putting
in his head, and shutting the window and blind, he left them to their
dismay. Completely taken in! they had been betrayed, somehow. They might
look for an expulsion, after that; and, what was worse, would be
heartily laughed at besides.

Between their mortification and the unwonted hard work, the perspiration
rolled off their faces in large drops by the time they got home--that is
to say, to the coach-house. Forsythe humbly opened the coach-door and
let down the steps. "Many thanks," said the Doctor, with a grave face:
"I have seldom enjoyed a more agreeable ride. I don't know when I have
had horses I liked so well." Every day for a fortnight "the horses" were
trembling, in expectation of a notice to canter off from the college, in
disgrace;