Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/211

Rh "I—I shouldn't like to say, Lazy. Dave is a pretty nice chap, isn't he?"

"Yes, but——"

"Let's go and ask Phil Lawrence about this," and off the two students hurried to consult their leader.

During that day Dave noticed that a number of the students looked at him rather curiously. A few who in the past had spoken to him cordially now appeared not to see him when they went by. Once he passed Gus Plum, and the bully grinned in a sickly way but said nothing.

The blow fell on the following afternoon, shortly after the studies for the day were over. Dave, having nothing else to do, walked into the gymnasium, where he found Gus Plum and a dozen other pupils congregated. Dave began to swing upon some rings, when the bully promptly left off exercising.

"Come on, fellows," cried Plum, in a low but distinct voice, so that Dave might catch what he said. "I don't care to exercise with a nobody!" And he moved towards the door.

Several started to follow, including Macklin, who added, in a loud voice: "That's so—I like to pick my company."

"For shame, Plum!" came from Phil, who had just stepped into the gymnasium, after Dave.

"All right, Lawrence, you can associate with