“Well, we can’t have everything,” answered Dave. “I want to graduate with the highest possible honors, and that means plenty of hard boning.” 97
“And a fellow can’t bone and play ball, too,” added Roger.
“We might—if old Haskers would be easy on us,” murmured the shipowner’s son.
“Now, see here, Phil,” said Dave, almost sternly. “Don’t ask Haskers for any more favors. He has done all that can reasonably be expected of him.”
“All right, just as you say,” grumbled Phil. But his manner showed that he was not altogether satisfied.
A week went by, and Dave and his chums applied themselves diligently to their studies. During that time nothing more was heard of the wild man, and the excitement concerning that strange individual again died down. But the folks living in the vicinity of the woods back of Oak Hall were on their guard, and it was seldom that women and children went out alone.
The boys were doing very well in their studies, and Dave received warm words of encouragement from Andrew Dale. He had made up nearly all the back lessons imposed upon him by Job Haskers, and that dictatorial teacher could not help but be satisfied over the showing made. Roger was also doing well, and poor Phil was the only one who was backward, although not enough to cause alarm.
“I’ll get there, but it comes hard,” said the 98 shipowner’s son. “I should have asked old Haskers for more time.”
“Don’t you do it,” answered Dave. “Come, I’ll help you all I can.” Which he did.
One day there came a letter to our hero which gave him great satisfaction. He read it carefully, and then hastened off to communicate the news to Phil, Roger, and Ben.