Dick secured Mrs. Bentley for the first dance, as the doctor preferred to remain on the veranda. Then, after the first dance, a general change of partners was made.
But the Gridley boys were too well bred to claim all the dances with their girl friends. Laura and her friends had other acquaintances at the hotel. Dick & Co. stood back to give these other young men a fair opportunity of securing some dances with the girls.
It was eleven o'clock when the hop had finished. For a few moments
Dick & Co. chatted with the Gridley High School girls on the porch.
Then they prepared to take their leave.
"We've had a splendid time, for which we must thank you all," Dick declared. "We did not look for any such pleasant evening as this has been when we left home on our hike."
"We are indebted to you all for the most delightful time of our lives," Tom stated formally with a very low bow.
"We couldn't have had a nicer time under any circumstances. Thank you all," Dave Darrin said, on taking leave.
The other boys found words in which to fitly express their pleasure and gratitude.
Then, as Mrs. Bentley and the girls went in side the hotel, the
Gridley High School boys wheeled to march back to camp.
"I wonder what the head waiter said to the rah-rah boys?" asked
Reade curiously.
"I don't know, but I can guess the meaning of what he said," laughed
Darry. "Did you ever see such an ill-bred lot of fellows before!"