"Why, the water's not cold, you donkey!" cried Bill Whitney, who had just leaped in. "It's as warm as new milk. What on earth will you be fit for, Bristles? You'll never make a man." "Make a man! What are you thinking of, Whitney? Miss Charlotte has no ambition that way. Girls prefer to grow up into young ladies, not into men." "Is it truly warm?" asked Van Rheyn, gazing at the river irresolutely, and thinking that if he went in the mockery might cease. I looked up at him from the water. "It is indeed, Van Rheyn. Quite warm." He knew he might trust me, and began slowly to undress. We had continued to be the best of comrades, and I never went in for teasing him as the rest did; rather shielded him when I could, and took his part. By the time he was ready to go in--for he did nothing nimbly, and undressing made no exception--some of us were ready to come out. One of Dr. Frost's rules in regard to bathing was stringent--that no boy should remain in the water more than three minutes at the very extent. He held that a great deal of harm was done by prolonged bathing. Van Rheyn plunged in--and liked it. "It is warm and pleasant," he exclaimed. "This cannot hurt me." "Hurt you, you great baby!" shouted Parker. Van Rheyn had put his clothes in the tidiest manner upon the grass; not like ours, which were flung down any way. His things were laid smoothly one upon another, in the order he took them off, though I dare say I should not have noticed this but for a shout from Jessup. "Halloa! What's that?" Those of us who were out, and in the several stages of drying or dressing, turned round at the words. Jessup, buttoning his braces, was standing by Van Rheyn's heap, looking down at it. On the top of the flannel vest, exposed to full view, lay the gold cross with the blue ribbon. "What on earth _is_ it?" cried Jessup, picking it up; and at the moment Van Rheyn, finding all the rest out of the water, came out himself. "Is it a charm?" "It is mine--it is my gold cross," spoke Van Rheyn, catching up one of the wet towels. The bath this evening had been impromptu, and we had only two towels between us, which Parker and Whitney had brought. In point of fact, it had been against rules also, for we were not expected to go into the river without the presence of a master. But just at this bend it was perfectly safe. Jessup passed the blue ribbon round his neck, letting the cross hang behind. This done, he turned himself about for general inspection, and the boys crowded round to look. "What do you say it is, Bristles?" "My gold cross." "You don't mean to tell us to our faces that you wear it?" "I wear it always," freely answered Van Rheyn. Jessup took it off his neck, and the boys passed it about from one to another. They did not ridicule the cross--I think the emblem on it prevented that--but they ridiculed Van Rheyn.