“And you’ve got a fine-looking lump over that eye! You’ll make a big hit with the faculty when you’re called up tomorrow!” “I can say I ran into a door,” replied Hugh untroubledly. “I did once, you know, and had just such a lump.” “Huh! And I suppose running into the door skinned your knuckles, too?” “I’ll keep that hand behind me,” laughed Hugh. “Anyway, it was a――a――it was some scrap, wasn’t it?” CHAPTER X HANRIHAN PROMISES “The beauty of being on probation,” observed Nick, “is that a fellow is able to give his entire time to the improvement of his mind. I recall that during my junior year being on pro was very helpful to me. It allowed me to do a lot of studying that I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish otherwise, and so, without doubt, preserved me to Grafton posterity. If it hadn’t been for that thoughtful act on the part of faculty you might not have me with you this evening, fellows.” “Faculty has a heap to answer for,” said Guy sadly. “I don’t mind――much,” said Hugh. “It knocks me out of football, though, doesn’t it?” “Yes, and the worst of it is,” said Pop Driver, “that you’ll have to go to gym and do your four hours per week.” “I don’t think I shall mind that, really. I fancy it’s dumb bells and clubs and that sort of thing, eh?” “Yes, and bar bells and free arm movements, which are tiresome things, and chest weights. _Creak――creak――creak――creak!_ I hate the thought of the things.” And Nick disgustedly shook his head. “You got off easily, if you want to know it,” said Bert. “Two weeks isn’t anything. Usually it’s a month at least. The only thing that saved you from getting it harder was that faculty is up in the air about last night’s rumpus. It has a sort of an idea that a lot of things went on it doesn’t know about and that if justice was done half the school would be on pro.” “They’re always easier with a new fellow,” said Guy. “Two weeks will soon pass, Hugh. Take my advice, though, and try for B’s in everything. That always makes them happy and they’ll let you off easy.” “B’s?” exclaimed Bert. “Why B’s? Hugh gets an A-minus in about everything now! By the way, fellows, Jimmy’s been pussy-footing it all over school today trying to find out what really happened last night. He cornered me in lower hall after French this morning and said he had heard the juniors had held a very successful meeting. You know the way he smiles when he wants to――to lull your suspicions?” “Wow!” applauded Nick. “That’s langwidge!” “So I said yes, I’d heard they had. And then he asked: ‘You――ah――you weren’t present then yourself, Winslow?’ And I said no, I didn’t think the juniors allowed any of the other class fellows at their meeting. Innocent, I was. So he said, ‘H’m, yes, very true, Winslow,’ and I beat it. What gets me is that they didn’t hear the racket and come out. I suppose, though, they thought it was the usual rumpus.”