His name was Bartlett Cloud, shortened by his acquaintances to "Bart" for the sake of that brevity beloved of the schoolboy.

His companion, Wallace Clausen, was a handsome though rather frail-looking boy, a year his junior.

The two were roommates and friends.
"He'd better rake his hair," responded the latter youth jeeringly.

"I'll bet there's lots of hayseed in it!" The subject of their derisive remarks, although standing but a scant distance away, apparently heard none of them.
"Hi, West!" shouted Bartlett Cloud as a youth, attired in a finely fitting golf costume, and swinging a brassie, approached.

The newcomer hesitated, then joined the two friends.
"Hello! you fellows.