Page:The Winning Touchdown.djvu/97

Rh was becoming known as a "dig," for he did well in the classroom.

Then Tom, and his two mates, seeing how the wind was blowing, made a special point to invite the newcomer to their room more frequently. They took him to their bosoms, and their warm welcome more than made up for the coldness on the part of some of the others.

It was not an intentional slight by those who did not welcome Simpson. Don't get that impression, for there was a warm school spirit at Randall. Only, somehow, it took a little longer for a stranger to make friends, coming in after the term had started, than it did before. Then, too, the fact that he had not passed his freshman year there was a bit against him. But Tom, Phil and Sid minded this not in the least, and soon Frank was made to feel quite at home, for which he was duly grateful.

"It's mighty white of you fellows, to treat me this way, like a friend and a brother," he said, feelingly, one night, after a session in the room.

"Oh, get out! Why shouldn't we?" demanded Sid.

"Of course," spoke Tom.

"Well, lots of fellows wouldn't go to the trouble, and I appreciate it," went on the lad from the Golden Gate. "All I want now is to make the 'varsity, and I'll be happy!"