Walker, Ben’s seatmate, who had once felt it a sore affliction to be placed beside him, now hovered near, seeking to enjoy a little irradiated glory.
It was all very strange and unusual for Stone, and in spite of his pleasure in it his natural shyness continued to make him appear distant and somewhat sullen.
When midday intermission arrived Ben hastened to leave the academy, rushing away before any of the boys could join him. That day his cold lunch tasted sweet indeed, and his little bare room looked strangely attractive and homelike.
He returned late to the academy, arriving barely in time to escape being tardy. All the afternoon he studied hard, and in his recitations he was well prepared.
School over for the day, he was not given time to get away before the others, Eliot capturing him on the steps.
“Come on over to the gym, old fellow,” urged Roger. “This time you’re going to practice. I know the place for you in the line.”
“Come on, come on,” called several others; “we must get at it early to-night.”
Hayden was not with them; he had not returned to the academy since leaving on the plea of illness.
Again in the dressing room, Ben was supplied with football togs from Eliot’s locker. He dressed silently, listening to the chatter of the boys around him. They were all talking football now.
“I wonder where Bern is?” said Berlin Barker. “I should think he would want to get out with us to-night.”