Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/131

Rh "That's my idea of it," said Dave. "He has been at me ever since I arrived. I'm going to give him fair warning, and if he does the least thing after that, I'll pitch into him roughshod."

Leaving the boathouse, the three students hurried into the Hall and up to their dormitory, where they lost no time in changing their wet clothes for dry. They had just finished when the bell rang for supper.

"That was a close shave," said Phil. "Wonder if Plum and Macklin are back?"

They entered the dining hall and sat down. The meal had just started when the bully and the sneak came in, and slipped into their places.

"Late, eh?" said Job Haskers, eying both severely. "I cannot permit this. Both of you will write the word, Late, one hundred times to-morrow, after school hours."

"Mr. Haskers, I——" began Gus Plum.

"Silence, Plum, I wish no explanation. You have been late too many times. Eat your supper." And after that there was silence.

Roger, Dave, and Phil had expected to talk to Gus Plum and his toady the next day, but the pair did their best to keep out of the way.

"They know we have it in for them," said Roger.

Several days passed and still the bully and his toady kept their distance. By that time Dave's