"I see, Ben. Just the same, why should he give me such a hard look? Of course, I haven't been in his place of business for a good while. But he can't expect me to buy all my furnishing goods from him." "Well, you know how it is, Dave--when you buy some things from some storekeepers they think they are entitled to your whole trade. However, I shouldn't let the matter worry me." "Not much! I've got other things to think about. Don't forget that I expect next month to take that examination in civil engineering. That's what is on my mind just now." "Oh, you'll pass, don't worry, Dave. Just think of what a brilliant showing you made at Oak Hall." "True. But my studies in civil engineering have been a good deal harder than anything I tackled at school. If it wasn't for Mr. Ramsdell, the old civil engineer who is coaching Roger and me, I don't know how I would possibly have gotten along." "If you pass the examination, what will you do next?" "Roger and I will go out on some constructive work and thus get a taste of real engineering. Mr. Ramsdell thinks he can get us positions with the Mentor Construction Company of Philadelphia, who are now doing a good deal of work in Texas--laying out railroads and building bridges." "In Texas? Say! that's quite a distance from here." "So it is, Ben. But it is not as far as I expect to get some day. If I ever make anything of civil engineering I hope some day to be able to do some great work in other parts of the world--maybe in Mexico or South America." "Say, that will be great!" cried Ben, enthusiastically. "You'll have a fine chance to see the world. You must take after your uncle, Dave. He was always a great fellow to travel. Think of how you located him years ago away down on that island in the South Seas!" "It sure was a great trip! And some day I'd like to take it over again. But just now I've got to put in all my time on this civil engineering proposition. I think I'll be lucky if I pass and get that chance to go to Texas." CHAPTER IV WARD PORTON AGAIN A quarter of an hour later the girls had finished their shopping and rejoined the boys. Then it was decided that the party should go on to Clayton, six miles farther. They were told that the road was in excellent condition, and this proved to be a fact, so that the sleighing was thoroughly enjoyed. It was growing dark when they drove down the main street of Clayton, and, although a bit early, all agreed to Dave's suggestion that they get dinner at the leading restaurant--a place at which they had stopped a number of times and which they knew to be first-class. "What a pity Roger couldn't come along," said Jessie to Dave just before sitting down to the sumptuous meal which the boys had ordered. "I know he would have enjoyed this very much."