Merriwell met Knight cordially, and soon had him feeling somewhat more at ease in the midst of this strange and remarkable gathering of students from all classes.
Because of his diffidence, Knight was scarcely known outside his own class. In fact, until he began working with the freshman crew, not even Merriwell had known there was such a man in college.
“Why, he’s as large as Merriwell!” muttered Ready, who could not be repressed. “Say, Dashleigh, I’d like to make that thousand-dollar bet two thousand. You can never win with a man like that in the stern of your old scow. I’ll bet my life on it!”
“Make it something of value,” said Bert. “Put up that plugged half!”
“Now, look here,” growled Ready; “I’m the only chap who has a license to be fresh in this crowd, so you had better quit. You can’t follow it up without getting into trouble. I have studied the art of being fresh and remaining alive; but an ordinary man who tries to follow in my footsteps should take out a large life-insurance and make his will.”
After a time, Frank plainly stated that he would excuse all who had not been specially requested to remain, laughing as he did so.
“Fired out!” murmured Ready sadly. “Methinks I scent a secret conclave, and I wouldst rubber, if I could. But I must hie myself away.”
So they filed out, bidding Frank good night, and not one took offense at being thus plainly told that they were to go. Starbright, Dashleigh, and Knight remained.
Some time later other members of the freshman crew found their way to Frank’s room, where they remained for at least an hour behind locked doors.
“It’s no use,” declared Ready; “he can’t talk victory into them.”