resaw."

"It did, eh?" said Snorky wrathfully.

Skippy retreated to the other side of the table and hurriedly announced:

"I've been talking it over with Greaser here and the problem is
narrowing down. Now what we've got to figure out is, shall we make it a
washing solution or something that'll stick forever?"

"Washing solution."

"Sure we could wash the socks in some sort of preparation of citronella,
couldn't we?"

"That's too easy. Any one could do that."

"Exactly! That's why we must experiment further. Greaser's got some very
good ideas."

"Oh! Well, bring on your stinks; I can stand them."

"You can?"

"Sure."

"You swear?"

"I swear. What's the idea, Greaser?"

Greaser Tunxton looked at him hard and thoughtfully before replying.

"You see, citronella comes out in the wash, but there are one or two
other things much stronger."

"Citronella's pretty strong!" said Snorky, who began to wonder if he had
promised too rashly.

"Ever heard of asafoetida?" said Skippy, with his hand on the chemical
genius.

"That's the stuff you put on the furnace at co-ed schools when you want
a cut," said Snorky, who knew the story of Dink Stover's reasons for
coming to Lawrenceville.

"It is quite possible," said Greaser in his smileless, scientific
manner, "that, properly treated, a mixture of silk and cotton, possibly
wool, will retain enough of the essential quality of asafoetida for at
least a dozen washings--"

"Isn't citronella bad enough?" said Snorky, with a horrible misgiving.

"It's extremely doubtful," said Greaser, shaking his head, "but I don't
want to say anything definitely before we make exhaustive experiments."

"Where?" said Snorky, shrinking. "If it's down at the pond again, good
night!"

"Green!" said Skippy wrathfully.

"Bedelle to you!"

"The experiments can be conducted right here," said Greaser
reassuringly.

"Oh! Well, why didn't you say so?" said Snorky, feeling a little
ashamed. "Perhaps after all asa--asa--well, whatever it is, will come
out in the wash, too."

"If it does," said Greaser proudly, "I've got something worse."

"Worse!" said Snorky, with a sinking heart.

"_Worse!_" said Skippy joyfully.

"If you put that on," said Greaser, meditating, "the socks will be
better than mosquito-proof--even rattlesnakes wouldn't bite you!"

"Criminy! What is it?"

"I know what it is," said Greaser, wagging his head wisely, "but I can't
pronounce it!"

* *