“It’s quite enough to say,” retorted Ripley, but he spoke in a low voice that had in it no trace of combative energy.

“Well, boys, how are matters going?” asked Lawyer Ripley, reentering.  “Fred, have you remedied your boorishness by thanking Prescott?”

“Oh, yes, he has thanked me,” Dick replied, cheerily.  “And we’ve been chatting about—–­some other matters.  And now, Mr. Ripley, if you will excuse me, I feel that I must run along.”

I have other things that I really must attend to.”

“Won’t you be more sensible, and let me make you a duplicate to the check you tore up?” asked the lawyer.

“Thank you, sir; but I don’t want to; couldn’t, in fact.  My father and mother would be ashamed of me if I took home a check for such a service.  Good afternoon, Mr. Ripley.  So long, Fred.”

Dick went out of the lawyer’s offices almost breezily.  Fred even found the nerve to respond to Dick’s parting salutation with something very close to an air of cordiality.

The instant he reached the street Dick took in several deep breaths.

“Whew!  It seems mighty good to be in the fresh air once more, after being in the same room with Fred Ripley,” muttered the freshman.

“Hello, Dickens, kid,” called a voice from behind, and an arm rested on his shoulder.

“Hello, Ben,” replied Prescott, looking around.

“I just wanted to say that the senior ball comes off Saturday night of this week.  You’re going to get one of the few freshman tickets.  The ticket allows you to invite one of the girls.  Now, remember, freshie, we depend upon you to be there.”

Dick started to object.  Well enough he knew that there would be few freshmen at the senior dance, which was the most exclusive affair in the High School year.

“You can’t kick,” rattled on Badger.  “You’ll get thrashed, if you do.  Didn’t I tell you that there’ll be very few freshman tickets sent out?  Only six, in fact.  Dick & Co. are going to hog all the freshman tickets.  That’s largely on account of what you youngsters have done for football and athletics in general.  Lad, this is the last year that the seniors will have a chance to see anything of Dick & Co.  So you simply can’t stay away from the senior ball.  Not a single member of Dick & Co. can be excused from attending.”

“We’ll see about it,” replied Dick.

“No, you won’t!  It has all been seen to.  The six of you are going to be on hand—–­with six stunning girls, too!”

“I thank you, anyway; I thank you all heartily for this very unusual honor,” Dick protested.

“That’s all right, then; it’s settled,” proclaimed Ben Badger, with an air of finality.  “The dance begins at nine.  It’s all stated on the ticket.”

By the next day it was settled that Dick & Co. were going to attend.  Besides the senior class, a good many of the juniors were also invited.  There was to be a fair sprinkling of sophomores, but of the freshmen Dick & Co. were the only ones invited.