Page:Stanwood Pier--Harding of St Timothys.djvu/78

58 dormitory to his room, he met Joe Herrick, clad in a dressing-gown, rushing down to his bath. Herrick flung an arm about Harry's neck, and whispered:—

"The gang is going to the Pie House to-morrow afternoon to drink your health. You've got to come."

"Oh, we'd better not," said Harry anxiously. "Why, if we're caught, you know what it means—fired from school, maybe!"

"The rector would never fire any one just for that," replied Herrick. "Besides, it's the risk that will make the fun. And to-morrow's my birthday, and I 'm setting the crowd up—in your honor. They've all promised, and you've got to come—after all they've done for you!"

There was an unpleasant suggestion in that which stung Harry, and he said, with reluctance, "All right. I think it's foolish, but I'll come. I won't drink anything, though."

"Nobody's really going to drink anything," Herrick assured him. "Just a taste to go round—in your honor."