Anyhow, it's a heap sight pleasanter doing it _outside_ the Reform School than inside, like some fellows I used to train with are a-going to do, it seems." All this kind of talk pleased Hugh immensely.

He felt more than ever satisfied with the magnificent result of that clever little scheme of his.

Reading Hugo's masterpiece had brought it about, too, and he would always have occasion to remember this when handling that volume recording the wonderful achievements of the one-time ignorant convict and human beast named Jean Valjean.
Nick just then saw several other boys hurrying to overtake Hugh.

He immediately evinced a desire to start off on a tangent, and head elsewhere.
"I've got an errand over in town, Hugh, so I'll break away," he said hurriedly, though Hugh could easily guess the real reason for his departure.

"But I want to tell you I appreciate your kindness, and if in the next hockey match there's need of a substitute, and you see fit to put _me_ in, why, I'll work my fingers to the bone to make good, sure I will." And Hugh believed it..