The flowering spray in his buttonhole seemed part of the jaunty new suit which so became him.

He was clean-looking and energetically wholesome.
From the crown of his head to the soles of his feet he was nattily neat, yet he was as far from being dudish in appearance as it is possible for one to be.

He looked to be what he was--strong, and lithe-limbed, almost physically perfect, with a handsome, intelligent face, hopeful, courageous heart, and active brain.
Yet many things had come to trouble him in the past twenty-four hours, even though his bright face showed not a trace of their annoying effect.
Chief of these things, of course, was the defection of Bart Hodge.

Hodge had gone away stubbornly angry, and Merriwell had not seen him since the moment of parting.
Every member of the "flock" was hot against Hodge, and had not hesitated to speak plainly.

Hodge's rebellious spirit had rallied them round Merriwell as one man.