Dave Darrin’s fists clenched tightly, though he had the good sense to realize that to start a fight in the parlor was out of the question.

Ripley’s remark had been loud enough to attract the attention of nearly every person in the big room toward Dick and Dave.

CHAPTER XII

SUSIE DISCOMFITS A BOOR

Laura Bentley bit her lips.  She flushed, then started to rise, but Susie Sharp gently pushed her back into her seat, then crossed to an electric button in the frame of a window.

A bell-boy promptly answered Susie’s ring.

“Will you kindly ask the manager to come here at once?” asked Susie.

As it happened, the manager was no further away than the corridor.  He came in quickly, bowing.

“Mr. Wright,” asked Susie coldly, nodding toward Fred Ripley, who stood leaning over a chair, smiling insolently, “will you kindly have this objectionable person removed?  He is annoying our guests.”

In a twinkling Fred’s insolent smile vanished.  Susie’s request had not been voiced in a loud tone, but it had been heard by perhaps twenty-five strangers in the parlor.

Ripley’s face paled, briefly, then became fiery red.  He stood erect, stammered inarticulately, then looked as though he were furtively seeking some hiding place.

“I think, Miss Sharp,” replied the hotel manager, with another bow, “that the young man is on the point of leaving, and that the services of a porter will not be needed.”

Fred tried to look unconcerned; he fished mentally for something smart to say.  For once, however, his self assurance had utterly deserted him.

“Oh—–­well!” he muttered, then turned and left the parlor in the midst of a deep silence that completed his utter humiliation.

“Mr. Wright,” said Laura, “I want you to know Mr. Darrin, one of our most popular high school boys in Gridley.  Dick, can’t you come over here a moment?  Mr. Wright, Mr. Prescott.  Our two friends, Mr. Wright, have brought up a racing canoe.  They are camping across the lake.  We hope they will arrange for races with the Preston and Trentville High School Canoe Clubs.”

“I am most glad to meet your friends,” said the manager, shaking hands with Dick and Dave.  “Two of the Preston High School young men are stopping here in the house, and the others are over at the Lakeview House.  I hope, Mr. Prescott, that we shall be able to have some fine high school races.  It will increase the gayety of the season here.”

“Thank you,” said Dick.  “But I am afraid, sir, that we have been worse than neglectful—–­stupid.

“How so?” asked Mr. Wright, his manner quickly putting both rather shabby-looking boys wholly at their ease.

“Why, sir,” Prescott explained, “we had never thought, until this morning, to secure authorization from the Athletic Council of our school to represent Gridley High School.  I am now engaged in writing a letter asking for that authorization.”