Five minutes later, when all the congratulations were over, he skated up beside Laura Bentley.

“You saved my skates for me, Laura, and brought me luck all through.  I want you to have the first ride on that toboggan.”

CHAPTER XXI

THANKS SERVED WITH HATE

It didn’t take long for the Gridley boys who were most interested in athletics to figure up that three out of the eight prizes offered had gone to the freshman class.

More than that, the three freshmen winners were all members of the firm of Dick & Co., Limited.

“Saturday’s work, and some other things, show us that Dick & Co. are going to be heard from a whole lot in the athletics of future years at this school,” Ben told Dick at recess Monday morning.  “Whew!  But I’m sorry I’m not going to be here to watch the progress of you freshmen!”

Monday afternoon, while he was eating the midday meal, just after school had been dismissed, Dick received, by messenger, a note from Lawyer Ripley, asking the young freshman to call at his office at three o’clock.

Though actually retired, the wealthy lawyer maintained an office in one of the big buildings on Main Street.  To this office Mr. Ripley went once in a while, to transact business.

“As I haven’t a dollar in the world,” smiled young Prescott, “it is hardly likely that he has been engaged to bring a suit against me.  Oh, hang it, I know!  He means to thank me for hauling Fred out of the water.  What an infernal nuisance!”

For a few minutes Dick was inclined to disregard the invitation.  He spoke to his mother about it.

“Have you any good reason for not going?” asked Mrs. Prescott.

“No, mother; except that I don’t like the Ripley crowd particularly.  Then, besides, I have no use for being thanked.  I’d have done as much for a tramp that I had never seen before.”

“I am afraid you have reasons for disliking Fred Ripley,” admitted Mrs. Prescott.  “But has the elder Mr. Ripley ever given you any cause for disliking him?”

“No; of course not.”

“Then wouldn’t it be the part of courtesy for you to go, since he requests it?”

“But, if he wants to thank me, why shouldn’t he come here?”

“My boy, it is one of the privileges of older persons to expect younger ones to come to them.”

“I guess that’s right,” nodded Dick.  “Oh, well, I’ll go.  But, if Mr. Ripley has anything to pass in the way of thanks, I hope he’ll cut it short.”

So, at three o’clock, Dick climbed the stairs and knocked at the office door.

The lawyer himself opened.

“Oh, how do you do, Prescott?” demanded Lawyer Ripley, holding out his hand.  “I’m most heartily glad to see you.  You didn’t see anything of my indolent son on the street, did you?”

“No, sir,” the freshman answered, adding, to himself: