“What? Missed it? Turned down?” cried Dan. “I—I don’t know,” stammered Tom. “You—you read it.” He held out the letter to Dan. “Why, you haven’t opened it!” exclaimed the other. “What do you think of that, fellows? Tommy hasn’t the nerve to read it!” “Oh ... well....” murmured Tom, tearing the envelope. “I didn’t expect to get through, anyway.” The others watched anxiously as he unfolded the single sheet which the envelope contained. Tom’s face flushed suddenly as he read. Then a wonderful, all-encompassing smile started at the corners of his mouth and grew and grew until it became an expansive grin. The others howled as they looked. There was no need to ask the verdict. “Pu-pu-pu-pu-pu—” stuttered Tom. “Good for you, Tommy!” cried Dan, whacking him on the back. “——Pu-pu-passed!” “Hurrah for Thomas Ferris, 1910!” cried Nelson. “How many conditions, Tommy?” asked Bob. Tom chuckled. “Only three,” he answered. “How do you suppose I ever did it?” “Can’t imagine,” laughed Bob, “unless you hypnotized ’em.” “I’m jealous,” said Dan. “You’ve got one more condition than I have. I shall appeal to the Faculty.” “Oh, th-th-th-that’s all right,” said Tom eagerly, “you can have one of mine!” They returned to the launch very joyfully. There were many letters to be read and each fellow found a corner for himself and soon became immersed in his mail. Now and then one or another would break out with an ejaculatory announcement of news, as when Nelson exclaimed: “Of course! I never thought of it! Say, fellows, dad says if we’d strained that gasoline through chamois skin there wouldn’t have been any water in it!” Or when Dan remarked: “The governor got a letter from Jerry Hinckley the other day, and Mr. Cozzens is going to coach him this summer himself and let him try for Hillton in the Fall!” Or when Tom announced impressively: “Ben Hur’s got four kittens and they’re all white.” Not very important news to us, of course, but of vital interest to them. They went ashore at half-past six and had what Tom called “swell grub.” Afterwards they explored the town and stayed up very late on deck, watching the lights and listening to the music of a far-off orchestra. There was a good moon and Dan wanted to weigh anchor and go on along the shore to the next harbor. But Nelson and Bob, mindful of Mr. Tilford’s instructions, vetoed the plan. Just as they were preparing to turn in, the Fall River Line steamer came into sight down the harbor, a huge black hulk pricked out with thousands of lights, and they had to return to the deck to watch her float past on her way to the pier.