Perhaps the heaviest punishment was the amount of study he was required to do in order to return after Christmas recess, entailing as it did a total relinquishment of Mayne Reid, Scott, and Cooper.

And when he did return his ways led far from Joel's.

Very naturally that youth had now risen to the position of popular hero, and unapproachable seniors slapped him warmly on the shoulder--a bit of familiarity Joel was too good-natured to resent--and wide-eyed little juniors admired him open-mouthed as he passed them.

But Joel bore himself modestly withal, and was in no danger of being spoiled by a state of things that might well have turned the head of a more experienced lad than he.

It is a question if Outfield did not derive more real pleasure and pride out of Joel's popularity than did Joel himself.