A middle-aged lady invariably went along in the carryall to chaperone the young people, although there was a deal of fun going and coming back home, as well as on the floor of the great barn, with its many lanterns to serve in lieu of electric lights.
Hugh was going, of course.

He and his best chum, Thad Stevens, had a pretty fair car in which to transport the two girls whom they had invited as their partners.

These same girls were co-eds with Hugh and Thad on the weekly paper which Scranton High issued, just as many other schools do.

They were named Sue Barnes and Ivy Middleton.

Sue was Hugh's company, while the dark-haired vivacious Ivy seemed to have a particular attraction for Thad.
By the way, since Thad has thus far not been introduced to the reader, it might be a good idea to say a few words about him before going any further with the exciting events that happened on the Friday night of the barn hop.
Thad was a quick-tempered lad, in which respect he seemed to differ radically from Hugh, who somehow managed to keep his under wonderful control, as though he had long practiced holding it in subjection.
Strangely enough, Thad's folks came of Quaker stock, and "thee" and "thou" had been familiar words to his young ears.