Fred flushed, then went white.
"Oh, very well, if you mean than I'm to be left out," grunted
Ripley.
"I'm afraid, Fred," hinted Badger, "that you were overlooked until the full number of soph tickets had been issued. It was an oversight, of course, but I'm afraid it's too late to remedy it."
Fred Ripley went away, furious with anger, for he already knew, as did everyone else in Gridley H.S., that Dick & Co. were to be among the elect at the senior ball. And Fred had been so sure of a card to the ball that he had gone to the length of inviting Clara Deane to accompany him to the affair. That young lady had most joyously accepted.
Now, as he walked home with Miss Clara this afternoon, Fred suddenly broke out:
"I say, Clara, you don't very much mind if we don't go to the senior ball, do you?"
"Yes," Miss Deane retorted. "Why, what's the matter, Fred. Didn't you receive an invitation?"
"Of course, I could get an invite," lied young Ripley. "But the plain truth is, I want to keep out of the affair."
"Why, what's the matter?" asked Clara, gazing at her escort in astonishment.
"Haven't you heard the news?"