The two chums talked the affair over for a long time. 66
“I don’t suppose Dave will like this,” ventured Ben, presently. “What do you think?”
“He isn’t hit as hard as we are,” answered Phil, lamely. “If he was—well, he might look at things in a different light.”
“That’s so,” answered Ben. But deep down in his heart he was afraid that our hero would not altogether approve of what he and Phil proposed to do.
The boys took a walk, and purposely kept out of the way of Dave and Roger. They did not return to the Hall until fifteen minutes before the first bell for supper. Then they came in by a side entrance and passed swiftly up the stairs and along the hallway to the room occupied by Job Haskers.
“Who is it?” asked the teacher, sharply, when Phil had knocked.
“Mr. Haskers, it is Phil Lawrence,” was the reply. “Ben Basswood is with me. We wish to see you.”
“Ah, indeed!” said the teacher, coldly. “You come to me at an unusual hour. You may see me to-morrow, before class.”
“Mr. Haskers, we wish very much to see you now,” put in Ben.
“We have got to see you,” added Phil, warmly.