"Surest thing that ever happened in the world," declared Dalzell, fervently.
"Just so," nodded Laura. "Well, if you won't think it strange or forward, six of us girls want to walk along with you boys. That will be a hint that the freshman class, if not the whole H.S., passes a vote of confidence in Dick Prescott, the most straightforward fellow in the class or the school."
"Bully for you, Miss Bentley!" glowed Dan. "We shall be looking for you young ladies when school lets out."
When the outside bell rang for reassembling, such a guard of honor had chosen to gather around Dick, and march in with him, that it looked more like a triumphal procession.
"I feel better," sighed the boy, contentedly to himself, as he dropped into his seat. "What a bully thing a little confidence is!"
When school let out, Dick & Co., each partner escorting one of the freshman girls, strolled down the street. A good many more of the students chose to drop in behind them. Dick could say nothing, but his heart swelled with pride.
"The way to get famous and respected, nowadays, is to steal something, and to get found out," sneered Fred Ripley, bitterly, to Clara Deane.
Straight to his own door did some two score in all of the Gridley
H.S. students escort Dick Prescott.
"Three cheers for Dick!" proposed some one.
"And for Dick and Co.!" shouted another voice.