To Neil's surprise that gentleman was at first decidedly grumpy.
"You might have let me into it," he grumbled.
But Neil explained and apologized until at length peace was restored.
Then he had to tell Paul all about it from first to last, and Paul laughed until he choked; "I--I just wish--wish I had--seen Cowan's--face when--he--found it--out!" he shrieked.
One result of that night's adventure was that the Class of 1905 was never thereafter bothered in the slightest degree by the sophomores; it appeared to be the generally accepted verdict that the freshmen had established their right to immunity from all molestation.

Another result was that Neil became a class hero and a college notable.

Younger freshmen pointed him out to each other in admiring awe; older and more influential ones went out of their way to claim recognition from him; sophomores viewed him with more than passing interest, and upper-class men predicted for him a brilliant college career.

Even the Dean, when he passed Neil the following afternoon and returned his bow, allowing himself something almost approaching a grin.

Neil, however, bore his honors modestly even while acknowledging to himself the benefit of them.
He learned that his chances of making a certain society, membership in which was one of his highest ambitions, had been more than doubled, and was glad accordingly.