Nothing's too good
for us at that cafe now, and we've invited Kitty and May to go to the
theatre with us to-morrow night."
"It's no use, Quincy," said Tom. "Dupont and Kidder took their
medicine as patiently as we did, and they liked it so well they're
going to have more of it."
Then he told Quincy what Dupont had said.
"The victory's ours," cried Quincy. "That shows that Americans, rich
or poor, are democratic at heart. All that keeps them apart is the
foolish idea that the possession of money lifts them above their
fellows. Put them on a money equality, and only the very exclusive
ones will care about the colour of their blood. It was a good lesson
for Dupont and Kidder whose fathers are wealthy men, and they have
wisely profited by it."
"Then you don't believe in social castes?" said Tom.
"Why should I? My father married a poor girl and I don't expect to
find my wife on Beacon Street or Commonwealth Avenue."
After Tom had asked his question the thought came to him that if
Quincy had believed in social distinctions on account of wealth he
would not have chosen the son of a cotton weaver as his boon
companion, but it was too late to take back the question, and Quincy
had answered it.
The four years of study were at an end. Quincy was loaded with
scholastic honours while Tom's prowess has been most effectually
shown on the ball team and in the 'Varsity Eight, which came near
winning a trophy for the Crimson.
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