Page:Stanwood Pier--Harding of St Timothys.djvu/81

Rh "All right," said Harry, and Herrick went bounding in his slippers down the stairs. Harry climbed the rest of the way with a less joyous heart than that which he had had during the first part of his ascent. He had never been to the Pie House in his life, and he was both ashamed and afraid at having pledged himself to this violation of the school rules.

The Pie House, in spite of its innocent name, had a doubtful reputation, and it was generally understood that the three or four reckless and daring youths who had visited it had done so to indulge a taste for other things than pastry. It was also generally understood that the penalty for visiting it was expulsion from the school; and Harry lay awake in bed and miserably pictured the consequences to himself and to his mother and to Clark if he should be caught.

The next morning he found all the other members of the Crown in a whispering, nervous, excited state over the expedition planned for the afternoon. They had all succumbed to Herrick's invitation. None of them had quite