He had lived a bookish life; but here was his lesson in the art of managing people, for he who can manage the untamed and strapping youths of a winter school in Hoopole County has gone far toward learning one of the hardest of lessons.

And in Ralph's time, things were worse than they are now.

The older son of Mr.Means was called Bud Means.

What his real name was, Ralph could not find out, for in many of these families the nickname of "Bud" given to the oldest boy, and that of "Sis," which is the birth-right of the oldest girl, completely bury the proper Christian name.

Ralph saw his first strategic point, which was to capture Bud Means.
After supper, the boys began to get ready for something.