Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/132

116 anger had cooled somewhat, and he turned his attention to other matters. There was much for him to do, and he was kept busy from early morning until it was time to retire.

During those days he received word which pleased him greatly. A letter came from Ben Basswood, which read in part as follows:

"I have at last got my parents' consent to my going to Oak Hall, and father is writing to-day to Dr. Clay about it. If all goes well, I shall come along next Monday, and in my trunk I expect to bring a lot of good things, so that we can celebrate in a fitting style. From what you have written about your classmates, I know I shall like them, and I trust to have a bang-up time during the term."

"Hurrah!" cried Dave, on reading this communication, and then he read it out loud, for Roger and Phil's benefit.

"I'm glad Ben is coming," said the senator's son. "Oh, you'll like him," he added to Phil. "All the boys do."

"Speaking of a celebration, that is just what I have had in mind ever since all of the fellows arrived," said Phil. "Let us go in for a regular blow-out. We can join with the fellows in No. 11 and have a dandy time."