Meanwhile, Fred Ripley was wandering about Gridley, in a state of abject, hopeless cowardice.
CHAPTER XXI
DICK IS GENEROUS BECAUSE IT'S NATURAL
"Say, will you look at Rip?"
No wonder Harry Hazelton exploded with wonder as he turned to
Dan Dalzell and Greg Holmes.
In this warmer weather, the young men loitered in the school yard until the first bell.
These three members of Dick & Co. were standing near the gateway when Fred Ripley turned the nearest corner and came on nervously, hurriedly, a hang-dog look in his face.
What had caught Harry Hazelton's eye, and now made his comrades stare, was the new suit that Fred wore. Gone was all that young man's former elegance of attire. His stern father had just left the boy, after having taken him to a clothing store where Fred was tricked out in a coarse, ready-made suit that had cost just seven dollars and a half. A more manly boy would have made a better appearance in such clothes, but it was past Fred Ripley. And he was miserably conscious of the cheap-looking derby that rested on his head. Even his shoes were new and coarse.
Ripley hurried by the chums, and across the yard, to be met at the door by Purcell, who stared at him in candid astonishment.
"Oh, say, Rip!" demanded Purcell. "What's the bet?"