There were tiny drops in the corners of Laura's eyes that looked like suppressed tears.
"Dan," she said, coming straight to the point, "we have heard, of course.

What a silly charge! See here, you pals of Dick's are going to walk home with him from school this noon ?" "Surest thing that ever happened in the world," declared Dalzell, fervently.
"Just so," nodded Laura.

"Well, if you won't think it strange or forward, six of us girls want to walk along with you boys.
That will be a hint that the freshman class, if not the whole H.S., passes a vote of confidence in Dick Prescott, the most straightforward fellow in the class or the school." "Bully for you, Miss Bentley!" glowed Dan.

"We shall be looking for you young ladies when school lets out." When the outside bell rang for reassembling, such a guard of honor had chosen to gather around Dick, and march in with him, that it looked more like a triumphal procession.
"I feel better," sighed the boy, contentedly to himself, as he dropped into his seat.

"What a bully thing a little confidence is!" When school let out, Dick & Co., each partner escorting one of the freshman girls, strolled down the street.