"What a bully thing a little confidence
is!"
When school let out, Dick & Co., each partner escorting one of
the freshman girls, strolled down the street. A good many more
of the students chose to drop in behind them. Dick could say
nothing, but his heart swelled with pride.
"The way to get famous and respected, nowadays, is to steal something,
and to get found out," sneered Fred Ripley, bitterly, to Clara
Deane.
Straight to his own door did some two score in all of the Gridley
H.S. students escort Dick Prescott.
"Three cheers for Dick!" proposed some one.
"And for Dick and Co.!" shouted another voice.
The cheers were given with gusto. So much noise was made, in
fact, that Mrs. Prescott came to open the door.
Something in his mother's face---a look of dread and alarm---spoiled
the cheering for Dick. As soon as he could he got inside the
house.
Little did the young freshman suspect the ordeal that awaited
him here.
CHAPTER VIII
ONLY A "SUSPENDED" FRESHMAN NOW
"What's wrong mother? Have you heard-----" the boy began, as
soon as the door was closed.
"Yes, Richard."
"But, mother, I am inno-----"
"Oh, Dick, of course you are! But this fearful suspicion is enough
to kill one who loves you. Come! Your father is in the store.
Dr. Thornton is upstairs. He and---and---a policeman.
"Policeman!" gasped Dick, paling instantly. "Do they mean to-----"
"I don't know just what they mean, Dick I'm too dazed to guess,"
replied his mother.
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