Dan viewed him mildly. “Look here,” he said, “if you’ll take that down and tear it up, we’ll call quits.” “I don’t know,” said Nelson. “How about Hillton being a bum school?” Dan grinned. “You take that down,” he said. “I will when you take back what you wrote on the other side.” “Don’t you do it, Dan,” advised a snub-nosed chap named Wells. “You shut up, Wells,” said Bob; and Wells, who wasn’t popular, was hustled out of the way by the others who had gathered. “Well, ain’t she pretty bum?” asked Dan innocently. “Not too bum to lick you at football,” answered Nelson hotly. “Pooh!” said Dan. “Do you know why? Because they wouldn’t let me play.” That aroused laughter, and Nelson stared at his antagonist in deep disgust. “What an idiot he was,” he said to himself; “he couldn’t be serious even over a quarrel.” “Well, she did it, anyhow,” he said rather lamely. “Well, it’s over now, isn’t it?” asked Dan calmly. “So let’s take the score down,” and he moved toward the placard. “No you don’t!” Nelson exclaimed, moving in front of him; “not until you’ve apologized.” Dan smiled at him in his irritating manner. “Don’t you believe I could lick you?” he asked. “Maybe you can,” said Nelson, “but talking won’t do it.” “Well, I can; but I’m not going to. There isn’t going to be any row, so you fellows might as well chase yourselves. It was just a joke, Tilford. Hillton’s all right. It’s the best school in the country, barring one. How’ll that do for an apology, my fierce friend?” “It isn’t quite truthful,” answered Nelson, smiling in spite of himself, “but I guess it’ll answer. Here’s your old paper.” Dan accepted it and tore it up. Then he stuffed the pieces in the first bunk he came to. “War is averted,” he announced. Then he went out, followed by most of the inmates of the dormitory, who were laughingly accusing him of “taking water.” “He’s a queer chump,” said Nelson, with something of unwilling admiration in his tones. But Bob didn’t hear him. He was back on his bed, absorbed in a magazine. “And you’re another,” added Nelson under his breath. CHAPTER V TELLS HOW DAN PLAYED A TRUMP CARD, HOW BOB GAINED HONOR, AND HOW THE “BIG FOUR” CAME INTO EXISTENCE 6.55. First reveille: morning bath. 7.00. Last reveille: colors. 7.25. First mess-call. 7.30. Last mess-call: breakfast. 8 to 9. Duties. 11.00. Assembly: “soak.” 12.30. Mess-call: dinner. 1.30 to 2. Siesta. 2 to 5.25. Recreation. 5.25. First mess-call: colors. 5.30. Last mess-call: supper. 7.30. Assembly: camp-fire. 8.30. Taps: Juniors’ lights out. 9. Seniors’ lights out.