He was chosen to be Ralph's companion.

He was Puppy Means no longer! Hank could not be conquered by kindness, and the teacher was made to feel the bitterness of his resentment long after.

But Bill Means was for the time entirely placated, and he and Ralph went to spelling-school together.
Every family furnished a candle.

There were yellow dips and white dips, burning, smoking, and flaring.

There was laughing, and talking, and giggling, and simpering, and ogling, and flirting, and courting.