Page:Dick Hamilton's Cadet Days.djvu/68

54 he hoped would be his friends, Dick got into a boat, and went out for a solitary row. He wanted to be alone and think.

"It's queer they should treat me that way," he mused. "I'm sure I don't make any fuss about my money. Maybe they are afraid I'll try to, and they're taking no chances. But they ought to give a fellow a show first."

After rowing about for an hour Dick felt better. He resolved not to force his friendship on the students, but to let matters take their course. He had expected a little "stand-offishness" on the part of the older cadets, who were always, more or less, inclined to be on their dignity with freshmen.

"Well, I'll wait until some new fellows arrive," thought Dick. "I guess I can make friends with them."

When he returned to shore he found that many more students had come in, the next day marking the opening of the term. Among the lads were a number of new cadets, as Dick could easily tell by their bashful, diffident manners. He felt that he had somewhat the advantage of them, for he had been at the place more than a week.

"Still, my only acquaintances, outside of the teachers are William the Silent, Toots and the hostler," he reflected.

There was a notice posted on the campus bulletin board to the effect that all new students were