The New Boy at Hilltop | Page 7

fellows. I wonder if he was born with that ugly smile of his.
He's coming this way," Joe groaned. "He thinks I'm such a nice little
boy and says he hopes my heart is of gold to match my hair! Wouldn't
that peev you?"
"Ah, Brewster," greeted Mr. Whipple, laying a hand on the boy's
shoulder, "how goes it today?" He accorded Kenneth a curt nod.
"Going bad," growled Joe.
"Well, well, we must take the bad with the good," said the instructor
sweetly. "Even defeat has its lesson, you know. Now--"
But Kenneth didn't hear the rest. Grafton Hyde was beside him with a
slip of paper in his hand.
"Say, Garwood," said Grafton loudly enough to be heard by the
audience near by, "I wish you'd tell me about this. It's your subscription

slip. These figures look like a one and two naughts, but I guess you
meant ten dollars instead of one, didn't you?"
"No," answered Kenneth calmly.
"Oh! But--only a dollar?" inquired Grafton incredulously.
The fellows nearest at hand who had been either watching the game or
delighting in Joe's discomforture turned their attention to Grafton and
the new junior.
"Exactly," answered Kenneth. "The figures are perfectly plain, aren't
they?"
Grafton shrugged his shoulders and smiled.
"Oh, all right," he said. "Only a dollar seemed rather little, and I wanted
to be sure--"
"Didn't anyone else give a dollar?" demanded Kenneth.
"We don't make public the amounts received," answered Grafton with
much dignity. Kenneth smiled sarcastically.
"What are you doing now?" he asked.
"I merely asked--"
"And I answered. That's enough, isn't it?"
"Yes, but let me tell you that we don't take to stingy fellows in Lower
House. You'd better get moved to Upper, Garwood; that's where you
belong. You're a fresh kid, and I guess we don't have to have your
subscription anyway." He tore the slip up contemptuously and tossed
the pieces to the snow. Kenneth colored.
"Just as you like," he answered. "I subscribed what I thought proper
and you've refused to accept it. You haven't worried me."

But a glance over the faces of the little throng showed that public
sentiment was against him. Well, that couldn't be helped now. He
turned his back and gave his attention to the game. But the incident was
not yet closed. Mr. Whipple's smooth voice sounded in its most
conciliatory tones:
"We all know your generosity, Hyde. Let us hope that by next year
Garwood will have learned from you the spirit of giving."
Kenneth swung around and faced the instructor.
"May I ask, sir, how much you gave?"
"Me? Why--ah--I think the teachers are not required--I should say
expected to--ah--contribute," answered Mr. Whipple agitatedly.
"I guess they aren't forbidden to," answered Kenneth. "And I don't
believe you've got any right to criticise the size of my subscription until
you've given something yourself."
Mr. Whipple's smile grew tremulous and almost flickered out.
"I'm sure that the boys of the Lower House know that I am always
ready and eager to aid in any way," he replied with angry dignity, "If
they will allow me to contribute--" He paused and viewed the circle
smilingly.
The idea tickled all hands hugely.
"Yes, sir!"
"Thank you, sir!"
"About five dollars, Mr. Whipple!"
Mr. Whipple's smile grew strained and uneasy. He had not expected
acceptance of his offer.
"Yes, yes, perhaps it is best to keep the donations confined to the

student body," he said. "Perhaps at another time you'll allow--"
"Right now, sir!" cried Joe. "Give us a couple of dollars, sir!"
The demand could not be disregarded. Shouts of approval arose on
every hand. On the ice, Wason of the Upper House team had hurt his
knee and time had been called; and the waiting players flocked to the
barrier to see what was up. Mr. Whipple looked questioningly at
Grafton and found that youth regarding him expectantly. With a sigh
which was quickly stifled he drew forth his pocketbook and selected a
two dollar note from the little roll it contained. He handed it to Grafton
who accepted it carelessly.
"Thanks," said Grafton. "I'll send you a receipt, sir."
"Oh, that is not necessary," replied Mr. Whipple. Now that the thing
was past mending he made the best of it. His smile had returned in all
its serenity. "And now, Garwood," he said, "as I have complied with
your requirements, allow me to say that your conduct has not
been--ah--up to Hilltop standards. Let me suggest that you cultivate
generosity."
Kenneth, who had kept his back turned since his last words, swung
around with an angry retort on his lips. But Joe's hand pulled him back.
"Shut up, chum!" whispered Joe. "Let him go."
Kenneth, swallowed, his anger and Mr. Whipple, with a smiling nod,
followed by a