There were times when he devoutly hoped that Joe Benson would recover the use of that ankle and get into the contest so that he [Steve] might not be called on to take part! Then, at last, eight o'clock struck sonorously in the tower of Main Hall, and he closed his books with a sigh of relief, piled them up and went to the closet.

When he was ready to go out Tom was still bent over his studies.

Steve hesitated a moment with his hand on the knob.

He wanted Tom to wish him luck.

He wondered if Tom guessed how sort of lonesome and scared he felt.