Page:Stanwood Pier--Harding of St Timothys.djvu/59

Rh At the end of the hour, when the boys were walking away from the study building, Harry attached himself to Rupert.

"You don't mind my asking, Rupe," he began at once, "what's the meaning of that pin you're wearing?"

"Sh-h!"said Rupert. "We don't talk about such things."

"I thought you disapproved of secret societies," contended Harry.

"There are some things that are not to be discussed," Rupert answered coldly.

"Just the same, I think it's pretty mean of you to talk about the Crown the way you did and then go off and organize another secret society."

"Sh-h!" was Rupert's only reply, and it had such a teasing sound that it made Harry too angry to speak. He left Rupert when they reached the dormitory. Rupert entered and went upstairs to his room.

Harry waited outdoors with three or four other fellows. By and by Joe Herrick arrived, and then Harry accompanied him upstairs.