As usual at such an hour on warm and pleasant days while school was holding there was a group of boys near the academy steps. Chipper Cooper had just finished telling for the thirteenth time that morning how Stone had defended Amy Eliot and “knocked the stuffing out of Fletcher’s dogs,” his every statement having been confirmed by Chub Tuttle, who was making a sort of after-breakfast lunch on peanuts.
Every boy in the gathering turned to look at Ben as he drew near, and had he observed he must have seen there was nothing of unfriendliness in their faces. When he would have passed them to enter the academy Chipper called to him.
“Hey, Stone!” he cried; “hold on a minute, will you? Where did you hit Old Tige’s big dog when you knocked him stiff? We fellows have been wondering how you did it.”
“I hit him on the back of his neck,” answered Ben, pausing a bit.
“Well, that was a dandy trick!” declared Cooper. “You ought to have a reward of merit for that.”
Chub Tuttle approached Ben and held out a handful of peanuts.
“Have some,” he urged, his round face beaming. “Fresh roasted. Got ’em at Stickney’s store.”
“Thank you,” said Ben, feeling his face flush as he accepted two or three of them.
At that moment Roger Eliot came from within the building, saw Ben and seized him immediately, saying:
“Just the fellow I’m looking for! Prof. Richardson wants to see you before school begins. Come in.”