Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/179

Rh sorting out of the clothing, shoes, books, and papers.

"Did Macklin pick up those tacks?"

"Yes, and the straw, too."

"Then what do you say—shall we let them go?"

"Yes," came from nearly all the others.

"Very well then, out you go!" cried Phil, and opened the door. He pushed Gus Plum headlong into the hall, and Roger flung Macklin after him.

"Now get to your room!" cried Dave. "And mind you, mum's the word, or you'll regret it."

"Yes, you'll regret it," came from some of the others, and then the door was closed and locked, and the students turned their attention to putting the dormitories into proper condition once more. It was quite a task. In spite of what had already been done, and it took them an hour and more.

"I don't want any more rough-housing in mine," remarked Dave. "It's too much of a nuisance." His collar and cuffs were gone, and he did not find them until the next morning. They were in a closet, and a big screw eye had been put through the holes, thus fastening them securely to the wall.

While the boys were finishing up, Gus Plum and Macklin sneaked through the hallway and paused at the door to their own dormitory.