"But how about Laura?
She would discover, within a few minutes, that I am on strained terms with the other fellows.

That would do worse than spoil her evening." "Well," demanded Greg thoughtfully, "why do you need to take her to the hop ?" "Because she says that's what the girls have come for." "Bother! Do you suppose it's you, or the hop, that Laura comes for ?" But Dick, instead of being cheered by this view, turned very white.
"I've got to tell her," he muttered hoarsely, "that I'm in eclipse.
That the fellows have voted that I am not a fit associate for gentlemen." "And I'll tell her a heap more," retorted Cadet Holmes.

"Dick, do you think either of the girls would go back on you, just because a lot of raw, half-baked cadets have got you sized up wrong?
Is that all the faith you have in your friends?
And, especially, such a friend as Laura Bentley?
Was that the way she acted when you were under charges of cribbing?
You were in disgrace, then, weren't you?
Did Laura look at you with anything but sympathy in her eyes ?" "No; heaven bless her!" "Now, see here, Dick.

If the girls are up here this evening, we won't take 'em to the hop.

Instead, we'll sit out on the north porch at the hotel, with Mrs.Bentley near by.