"Well, they did the whole trick for themselves," rejoined Dan. "No one else touched them, or pushed them. They took all the rope they wanted—-and hanged themselves. Now, that pair will probably feel cheap every time they have to come back to Gridley and walk the streets."
"All they had to do was to be decent fellows," mused Tom. "But the strain of decency proved to be too severe for them."
In the High School yard that Thursday morning there was one unending strain of rejoicing.
Some of the other late "soreheads," who had escaped the full meed of humiliation—-Davis, Cassleigh, Fremont, Porter and others—-actually sighed with relief when they found what they had escaped in the way of ridicule and contempt.
"The whole thing teaches us one principle," muttered Fremont to Porter.
"What is that?"
"Never tackle the popular idol in any mob. If you can't get along with him, avoid him—-but don't try to buck him!"
"Humph!" retorted Porter. "If you mean Prescott and his gang—-Dick & Co., as the fellows call them—-I can follow one part of your advice by avoiding them. I never did and never could like that mucker Prescott!"
The fact of interest to Dick would have been that he appeared to enjoy the respect of at least ninety-five per cent. of the student body of the High School.
Surely that percentage of popularity is enough for anyone. The fellow can get along without the approbation of a few "soreheads"!