` If you have such a poor opinion of us , why do you wear our colour ? ' asked Dolly , painfully conscious that he was not improving the advantages his Alma Mater offered him , but bound to defend her . ' I do n't ; my hat is scarlet , not crimson . Much you know about a colour , ' scoffed Josie . ' I know that a cross cow would soon set you scampering , if you flaunted that red tile under her nose , ' retorted Dolly . ` I 'm ready for her . Can your fine young ladies do this ? or you either ? ' and burning to display her latest accomplishment , Josie ran to the nearest gate , put one hand on the top rail , and vaulted over as lightly as a bird . Bess shook her head , and Stuffy languidly applauded ; but Dolly scorning to be braved by a girl , took a flying leap and landed on his feet beside Josie , saying calmly : ` Can you do that ? ' ` Not yet ; but I will by and by . ' As his foe looked a little crestfallen , Dolly relented , and affably added sundry feats of a like nature , quite unconscious that he had fallen into a dreadful snare ; for the dull red paint on the gate , not being used to such vigorous handling , came off in streaks upon his shoulders when he turned a backward swing and came up smiling , to be rewarded with the aggravating remark : ` If you want to know what crimson is , look at your back ; it 's nicely stamped on and wo n't wash out , I think . ' ` The deuce it wo n't ! ' cried Dolly , trying to get an impossible view , and giving it up in great disgust . ' I guess we 'd better be going , Dolf , ' said peaceable Stuffy , feeling that it would be wise to retreat before another skirmish took place , as his side seemed to be getting the worst of it . ` Do n't hurry , I beg ; stay and rest ; you must need it after the tremendous amount of brain work you 've done this week . It is time for our Greek . Come , Bess . Good afternoon , gentlemen . ' And , with a sweeping courtesy , Josie led the way , with her hat belligerently cocked up , and her racket borne like a triumphal banner over one shoulder ; for having had the last word , she felt that she could retire with the honours of war .
Dolly gave Bess his best bow , with the chill on ; and XXXXX subsided luxuriously , with his legs in the air , murmuring in a dreamy tone : ` Little Jo is as cross as two sticks today .
Bess Dolf Dolly Greek Josie Mater Stuffy colour deuce war