“June!” said Chester quickly, “I wish to say a word to you.”
He stepped between Dick and his sister instantly, preventing Dick from taking the proffered hand. What he said was spoken in a low tone, and Mrs. Arlington immediately directed the driver to start. So the carriage rolled away, and all Dick received was a smile and parting wave from June’s hand. Inwardly he was boiling, and he longed to knock Arlington down.
Chester looked at him, laughed and turned to his classmates, who once more gathered about him.
Brad Buckhart came striding up.
“For the love of Heaven, pard,” he hissed in Dick’s ear, “let me soak him for you, if you can’t do it! I’ll make him think he was kicked by a mule! You hear me!”
But Dick was a complete master of himself, and he took Brad’s arm, turning once more toward the academy steps.
“We’ll go to our room,” he said, in an unruffled tone of voice.
CHAPTER XI—BOUND BY A PROMISE
A number of Dick’s friends had gathered in his room to discuss football matters. There was considerable excitement on the team.
“Hi say has ’ow it’s a blooming mistake!” excitedly declared Billy Bradley, striking an attitude in the middle of the room, “We ’ave no business to play with those ’owling toffs, don’t y’ ’now!”