were concerned.
In the nearly three months, now, that the new school year had gone along, Dick & Co.

had proved that, as sophs, they were youngsters of great importance in the student body.

They were highly popular with most of their fellow-students; but of course that very popularity made them some enemies among those who envied or disliked them.
For one thing, neither Dick nor any of his partners came of families of any wealth.

Yet it was inevitable that some of the boys and girls of Gridley H.S.should come from families of more or less wealth.
It is but fair to say that most of these scions of the wealthier families were agreeable, affable and democratic---in a word, Americans without any regard to the size of the family purse.
A few of the wealthier young people, however, made no secret of their dislike for smiling, happy, capable Dick & Co.

One of the leaders in this feeling was Fred Ripley, son of a wealthy, retired lawyer.
During the skating events of the preceding winter, Dick Prescott, aided by his chums, had saved the life of Ripley, who had gone through thin ice.