In due time the answer came.
This sermon had much to do with Belton's subsequent career.

But an incident apparently trivial in itself was the occasion of a private discourse that had even greater influence over him.

It occurred on Thursday following the night of the delivery of the sermon just reported.

It was on this wise: Belton had, in everything, excelled his entire class, and was, according to the custom, made valedictorian.

His room-mate was insanely jealous of him, and sought every way possible to humiliate him.