“All set,” answered Dick. Gordon twirled the starting crank and Eli began to whir merrily. Gordon closed the gate behind the car and seated himself on the floor, and Eli chugged off down A Street toward Brentwood. “By the way,” announced Morris, “the girls are going around to the meeting to-morrow night, Dick. Louise is sputtering with indignation and declares that if it comes to a vote they’ll see that you come out all right!” “Votes for women!” laughed Dick. “That’s very nice of them, but I’m afraid the fellows won’t appreciate their presence.” “So I told her,” said Morris, “but she says that all the students are asked to attend and that the girls are just as much students as the boys are. Anyway, she’s going, and she’s made about thirty others promise to go, too. I guess it’s going to be quite an affair!” “It looks so,” replied Dick dryly. “Whoa, Eli! Good night, Morris. Let me know if I can do anything to help with the furniture, please.” As they started off again Gordon began to chuckle and Dick viewed him inquiringly. “Tell me about it,” he said. “Oh, it’s nothing, Dick. I was just thinking.” “Does it always affect you like that?” “Not always. Only when it’s funny. You see, I was thinking about Louise going to the meeting. It’s fine to have the ladies on your side, Dick.” “Huh!” grunted Dick. “I suppose it’s because you’re such a handsome beast. Still, you’ve got a way with you, too. If it was anyone else, now, Louise――――” “Do you want to land in the gutter?” asked Dick carelessly. “N-no, not especially, thanks.” “Then cut out the comedy.” “All right. But I can keep on thinking, can’t I?” “Yes, if you don’t do it so I can hear you. Here’s where you get out, anyway. Beat it!” “Thank you. And good night, you old heart-breaker!” The next morning when Lanny reached school he found a summons from the Principal awaiting him and sought the office with trepidation. He wasn’t aware of having transgressed any rules and his class standing was no worse than it had been all the Fall. In fact, for the last fortnight he thought he had been doing considerably better. The office was on the main floor of the building, at the end of the long corridor. Mr. Grayson greeted the visitor pleasantly and asked him to be seated. “Just a moment, White, if you please,” he added as he returned to some writing he was doing. Mr. Grayson was short and square, with a head that seemed just a little too large for his body. His thick, wiry hair was sprinkled with gray, as was his short beard and closely-cropped mustache. From behind his glasses a pair of mild, thoughtful brown eyes looked gravely on the world from under heavy, grizzled brows. Mr. Grayson impressed one as being strong physically and mentally, and not only strong but capable. His countenance, in spite of its accustomed gravity――and the Principal was seldom seen to smile――was, on the whole, pleasant and kindly.