Part 11 (1/2)
”I've been thinking of that, Roger. But I hate to do it. I'd rather fight my own battles.”
”So would I.”
”Let us wait until to-morrow and see if things don't take a turn for the better.”
”All right, just as you say. But it's a shame, the way old Haskers treats us,” grumbled the senator's son.
In the meantime Phil and Ben had gone on ahead. Both were exceeding angry and consequently not in a frame of mind to use their best judgment.
”It's an outrage!” burst out the s.h.i.+powner's son. ”An outrage, Ben! I am not going to stand for it!”
”Well, I am with you, Phil,” returned Ben. ”But what can we do?”
”You know what I spoke about last evening?”
”Yes.”
”How about doing that?”
”I am with you, if you are game.”
”Of course we may make old Haskers tearing mad.”
”We'll only face him with the truth, won't we?”
”Yes.”
”Then, let us do it. And the sooner the better.”
”Yes, but we must see him alone.”
”Of course. I think we can manage it just before supper--when he goes up to his room to fix up for the evening.”
The two chums talked the affair over for a long time.
”I don't suppose Dave will like this,” ventured Ben, presently. ”What do you think?”
”He isn't hit as hard as we are,” answered Phil, lamely. ”If he was--well, he might look at things in a different light.”
”That's so,” answered Ben. But deep down in his heart he was afraid that our hero would not altogether approve of what he and Phil proposed to do.
The boys took a walk, and purposely kept out of the way of Dave and Roger. They did not return to the Hall until fifteen minutes before the first bell for supper. Then they came in by a side entrance and pa.s.sed swiftly up the stairs and along the hallway to the room occupied by Job Haskers.
”Who is it?” asked the teacher, sharply, when Phil had knocked.
”Mr. Haskers, it is Phil Lawrence,” was the reply. ”Ben Ba.s.swood is with me. We wish to see you.”
”Ah, indeed!” said the teacher, coldly. ”You come to me at an unusual hour. You may see me to-morrow, before cla.s.s.”
”Mr. Haskers, we wish very much to see you now,” put in Ben.