It isn't beyond the bounds of reason that jealousy may have had
something to do with Amy's attitude, for Amy was "a swell dresser"
himself and had a fine eye for effects of colour. Amy's combinations of
lavender or dull rose or pearl-grey shirts, socks and ties were
recognised masterpieces of sartorial achievement. The trouble with Amy
was that when the tennis season was over he had nothing to interest
himself in aside from maintaining a fairly satisfactory standing in
class, and I'm sorry to say that Amy didn't find the latter undertaking
wildly exciting. He was, therefore, an excellent subject for the
mischief microbe, and the mischief microbe had long since discovered the
fact. Usually Amy's escapades were harmless enough; for that matter, the
present one was never intended to lead to any such unfortunate results
as actually attended it; and in justice to Amy it should be distinctly
stated that he would never have gone into the affair had he foreseen the
end of it. But he couldn't see any further into the future than you or
I, and so--yes, on the whole, I think it may be fairly said that Amy
Byrd started it.