Let us leave them together; young men are awkward in expressing their feelings to one another; they are not as demonstrative as girls, who no doubt would have had an outlet in kissing and petting each other with cooing words. But in this quarrel deep feelings had been touched and much emotion was displayed by both. A most perfect and complete reconciliation occurred and a glad happiness filled the heart of each.
It was amusing thereafter to watch Bollup. He became filled with an admiration for Ralph exceeding anything he had ever felt before. He was never satisfied unless he was with Ralph; in his mind Ralph was one of the greatest characters he had ever known, one who combined great mental capacity with a great soul.
Himski gave them about an hour to purr to each other, then went to them and said: “Os, there’s a class meeting after supper to-night. Be sure to be there.”
“All right; what’s up?”
“Oh, I’m going to prove Creelton the thief we’re looking for. But don’t talk about it. I’ve got him, though; it’s certain he’s the man; I’ve got the proof.”
Ralph was wild with excitement and curiosity, but the special detail were now called to supper and he had to hurry away.
“Himski,” said Bollup, after Ralph had left, “I’ve been a cad; I deserve all you said, but I’m going to try to square things up as well as I can. I want to talk it over with you, and I want your advice.”
A long talk in low tones followed. At first Himski expostulated and disapproved, but finally Bollup’s vehemence won him over. “All right, Bol,” finally said Himski; “I think it may be done and I’ll help you if I can. I’m certain that you want to do it. And one thing more, Bol, I want to withdraw my remarks about your being a cad. You’re now proving yourself ‘white.’”
“It will take a lot of proof,” Bollup remarked, much pleased at Himski’s words, “but I shall do the best I can. But I think you will have to do most of the talking, Himski; we’ll see the commandant together and you will help me, I’m sure. You have a way of making people see things as you see them, and I may fail in expressing myself properly or as I wish to.”
“All right. There goes the bugle for supper. We’ll have an important job later, that of showing up Creelton. I have great hopes that the tin box may prove all the evidence we need; but if it doesn’t he will have hard work to prove he didn’t steal the towels; he has told impossible stories as to how he got them. Be on hand early after supper.”