Page:Stanwood Pier--Harding of St Timothys.djvu/42

22 for a week, there was plenty of time in which to influence doubtful voters.

When the boys recrossed the field and came out into the road, Rupert Ormsby and Francis Stoddard were just passing. Stoddard dropped his eyes bashfully. Rupert waved his hand, called out, "Hello, fellows!" and hurried on.

At sight of Rupert, Harry's elation was momentarily subdued. The thought that he was pledged to win an honor which he did not merit and which a friend deserved smote sharply upon his sense of friendship and justice.

But Rupert swung out of sight round a bend in the road; the other boys kept tossing jokes and compliments at Harry and calling one another to witness his blushes; then they began to push him about with affectionate roughness; and pretty soon he had dismissed the compunctions pricking his conscience and fallen back on the comfortable feeling that he had done his best, and that if all the fellows insisted on electing him it would not be his fault.