CHAPTER XII.
THE SKIES BRIGHTEN.
Having opened school that morning in the usual manner, Prof. Richardsonrose beside his desk, on which he tapped lightly with his knuckles, andsurveyed the scholars over his spectacles, which seemed to clingprecariously to the tip of his thin, aquiline nose. There was a slightbustle of expectancy all over the room, and then the scholars settledthemselves down almost breathlessly to hear what the principal wouldsay.
Having cleared his throat, Prof. Richardson began speaking slowly anddistinctly, as if weighing every word. He did not look at first in thedirection of Stone, who sat there flushed and chilled by turns, keepinghis eyes on an open book which lay before him. There was sternness ashe expressed his sentiments regarding the person with a bullyinginclination who took pleasure in abusing those physically weaker thanhimself; and, although Sam Rollins’ name was not mentioned, every oneknew at whom those open remarks were directed.
Hunk knew, and in an effort to appear unconcerned and a trifle defianthe was openly brazen. Soon, however, his eyes drooped before theaccusing gaze of the old professor.
The principal continued by commending with some warmth the individualwhose impulses led him, regardless of personal danger or the chance ofbeing misunderstood, to stand up in defense of one who was beingmistreated and abused. He went on to say that such a thing had occurredupon the previous afternoon, and that through undue haste on his ownpart, which he now regretted, he had been led to misunderstand thesituation and condemn the wrong person. He even displayed his own moralcourage by offering an apology.
Ben Stone’s cheeks were burning now, and his heart pounded so heavilythat he fancied every one near him must hear it. He did not move as hisgrinning little seatmate reached over slyly to pinch him, whispering:
“That’s for you, old feller.”
Prof. Richardson was still speaking, and now he was telling of theremarkable heroism of a lad who had rushed to the defense of a littlegirl beset by two huge and vicious dogs. The principal’s words weresimple and straightforward; he made no effort at eloquence, and yet hislanguage was singularly graphic and effective. He made them shiver atthe picture he drew of little Amy Eliot besieged by Tige Fletcher’sugly pets. He caused them to see in imagination the dauntless defenderof the child rushing to the spot and beating the brutes off.
“It was a very fine thing to do,” said the professor, who was at lastlooking straight at the lad whose eyes remained fixed upon that openbook. “It was something not a few men might have hesitated about doing,or, at least, might have done in fear and trepidation. It is reallymarvelous that the heroic lad escaped untouched by the fangs of thosesnarling beasts. By this deed he established beyond question the factthat he is a boy of fine courage, possessing the instincts which leadhim unhesitatingly to face gravest peril in defense of those who areunable to defend themselves. I have certainly learned a great dealconcerning this lad, who apparently has been much misunderstood in thepast, and I am proud of the fact that he is a student in this school. Iam speaking of Benjamin Stone.”
A sudden hand-clapping broke out all over the room, and the professordid not check them nor reprove them for it.
There was, however, at least one who did not join in the burst ofapplause. Bernard Hayden’s face was pale and cold, but in his bosomthere was a raging fire of wrath and resentment.
Ben was overcome. His head bent lower, and he blinked his eyelidsrapidly to scatter the blurring mist which threatened to blind him. Hiseffort to smile simply contorted his plain face a trifle, and there wasnothing noble or heroic in the picture he made.
“Gee!” whispered Ben’s seatmate. “I never knew the old Prof. to get soenthusiastic before.”
As the regular routine of the day was taken up, Ben still sat therewithout daring to look around. He did not know when Bern Hayden,complaining of illness, asked permission to go home. Like one in atrance, he tried to study, and finally succeeded in forcing hisattention upon his lessons. It truly seemed that the last shadow hadbeen dispelled.
At intermission the boys came flocking around him, and some of thegirls smiled upon him in a friendly manner. They found, however, thathe disliked to talk of his exciting encounter with Fletcher’s dogs.
“The town fathers orter present you with a medal for killin’ old Tige’sbig cur,” said Sile Crane.
“It may not oc-_cur_ to them to do it,” chuckled Chipper Cooper.
“Permit me,” grinned Chub Tuttle, “as a token of my high appreciationand gratitude, to present you with a genuine fresh roasted,double-jointed California peanut.”
Even Spotty Davis hung around and sought to be familiar and friendly.Seizing Davis by the elbow, Sleuth Piper drew him aside and whisperedmysteriously behind his hand:
“Listen to the deduction into which I have been led by the presentsurprising turn of affairs,” pleaded Sleuth. “Take it from me that thisman Stone will become a member of the great Oakdale eleven, which willbe much strengthened by his marvelous prowess and undaunted courage.”
“Mebbe so,” nodded Spotty; “but it ain’t going to set well in BernHayden’s crop.”
Walker, Ben’s seatmate, who had once felt it a sore affliction to beplaced beside him, now hovered near, seeking to enjoy a littleirradiated glory.
It was all very strange and unusual for Stone, and in spite of hispleasure in it his natural shyness continued to make him appear distantand somewhat sullen.
When midday intermission arrived Ben hastened to leave the academy,rushing away before any of the boys could join him. That day his coldlunch tasted sweet indeed, and his little bare room looked strangelyattractive and homelike.
He returned late to the academy, arriving barely in time to escapebeing tardy. All the afternoon he studied hard, and in his recitationshe was well prepared.
School over for the day, he was not given time to get away before theothers, Eliot capturing him on the steps.
“Come on over to the gym, old fellow,” urged Roger. “This time you’regoing to practice. I know the place for you in the line.”
“Come on, come on,” called several others; “we must get at it earlyto-night.”
Hayden was not with them; he had not returned to the academy sinceleaving on the plea of illness.
Again in the dressing room, Ben was supplied with football togs fromEliot’s locker. He dressed silently, listening to the chatter of theboys around him. They were all talking football now.
“I wonder where Bern is?” said Berlin Barker. “I should think he wouldwant to get out with us to-night.”
“He was taken suddenly ill,” grinned Chipper Cooper. “Wonder if he hashad a doctor?”
Stone felt a chill at the mention of his enemy’s name. He wascongratulating himself over Hayden’s absence when something like ashadow seemed to come over him, and he looked up quickly to discoverthe fellow in the open doorway.
“Eliot,” called Bern, stepping into the room, “I want a few privatewords with you.”
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