"If Mr.Daley gave you a B you deserved a B." "Thanking you kindly," murmured Tom as he disappeared behind the pages of the blue-book to digest the corrections and criticisms on the margins.

Steve's manner since the night he had remained up until morning to write that composition had been puzzling.

He had very little to say to Tom, and when he did speak, spoke in a constrained manner quite unlike him.

And more than once Tom had caught Steve observing him with an expression that he couldn't fathom.

There was something up, that was certain, but what it was Tom couldn't imagine.