Part 40 (1/2)
”Oh, let us cut sticks for it,” suggested Phil.
”That will suit me,” said Plum.
”Me, too,” said the senator's son. ”I am too tired to race again.”
So the three lads drew sticks for the prize, and Gus Plum won.
”h.e.l.lo! I'm in luck!” cried Gus, and looked much pleased. The silver lead-pencil sharpener was pa.s.sed over to him, and he thanked the gymnastic instructor warmly for it.
”I am glad he got it, since it pleases him,” said Phil to Roger, and the senator's son nodded in agreement.
The only boy who felt sore over the race was Nat Poole, and he continued to declare that he would have won had his skate not come loose.
”But just wait,” he said, to some of the students. ”I'll show 'em what I can do when we get to playing hockey.” And that very night he started in to organize an ice-hockey team. He did not consult Mr. Dodsworth or Andrew Dale, fearing that they would not favor his selection of players.
”They have nothing to do with hockey,” Nat explained to his friends.
”All they have to look after is baseball and football, and track athletics. Doctor Clay didn't say a word about ice hockey, or field hockey, either.” This was true, the master of the Hall having probably forgotten all about those sports. Nevertheless, it was understood by the majority of the students that all games and contests held with parties outside of Oak Hall were to come under the supervision of the gymnastic instructor and Andrew Dale.
”What are you going to do with yourself to-morrow afternoon?” asked Roger of Dave, on going to bed Friday.
”I have a little business to attend to in Rockville, Roger.”
”Is that so? Want me to go along?”
This was a question Dave had dreaded to have asked, and he hardly knew how to answer. He determined to be as frank as possible.
”No, Roger. I am sorry, but the party I am going to see asked me to come alone.”
”Oh, all right. I just thought I'd mention it.”
”If it hadn't been for that I should like very much to have you and Phil along,” continued Dave, earnestly. ”But I can't take anybody.”
”Must be going to see a girl,” and the senator's son looked at his chum quizzically.
”No, it is not a girl. Now please don't ask me any more questions.”
”Just as you say, Dave,” answered Roger, and then began to get ready to go to bed. He could not help but wonder what the business was, and why Dave was so secretive about it.
In the morning Dave had to go through the same kind of a scene with Phil. The s.h.i.+powner's son was as much mystified as Roger, and after Dave had departed, the pair walked into the warm gymnasium to talk the matter over.
”Dave has something on his mind,” said Roger. ”I noticed it yesterday.”
”So did I, Roger. What is it, do you suppose?”
”I don't know, excepting it may be about Merwell and Jasniff. He said it wasn't about those girls.”
”Do you think he is going to meet Merwell and Jasniff in Rockville?”
”Possibly. I can't think of anything else.”