Page:Stanwood Pier--Harding of St Timothys.djvu/209

Rh joined him and the others in their walks. At first Herrick's appearance made Stoddard shrink into his shell, but by degrees they became tolerant of each other, and at last even friends. So, uneventfully enough, the last days of the term slipped past.

The Christmas vacation was a long one. Rupert Ormsby went away from the school on crutches; he came back without them, declaring joyfully that his leg was as strong as it had ever been.

To demonstrate this, he joined at once in the hockey practice, and five days later played for the Pythians in the second of the interclub games, and helped them to win it by shooting a brilliant goal. The Corinthians had won the first game, but now, with Rupert showing all his old-time speed and skill, their prospect of securing the championship was dimmed.

The day after this game it rained, and then followed a week of thaw and slush, during which the boys who demanded exercise betook themselves to the gymnasium. Rupert joined temporarily the squad of crew candidates,