confounder of sophomore plots, who was pictured in most minds as
starving to death somewhere out in the rain, a captive in the ungentle
hands of the enemy.

However, starving Neil certainly was not. For at that very moment,
seated at the hospitable board of Farmer Hutchins, he was helping
himself to his fifth hot biscuit, and allowing Miss Hutchins, a
red-cheeked and admiring young lady of fourteen years, to fill his
teacup for the second time. From the role of prisoner Neil had advanced
himself to the position of honored guest. For after the first
consternation, bewilderment, and mortification had passed, his captors
philosophically accepted the situation, and under the benign influence
of cold chicken and hot soda biscuits found themselves not only able to
display equanimity, but to join in the laugh against themselves and to
admire the cleverness displayed in their out-witting. Of the four
sophomores Cowan's laughter and praise alone rang false. But Neil was
supremely indifferent to that youth's sentiments. The others he soon
discovered to be thoroughly good fellows, and there is no doubt but that
he enjoyed the hospitality of Farmer Hutchins more than he would have
enjoyed the freshman class dinner.

At nine o'clock the drive back to Centerport began, and as the horses
soon found that they were headed toward home the journey occupied
surprisingly little time, and at ten Neil was back in his room awaiting
the return of Paul. To Neil's surprise that gentleman was at first
decidedly grumpy.

"You might have let me into it," he grumbled.

But Neil explained and apologized until at length peace was restored.