id Susan.

And all the school knew that she was tormenting Pewee, although they
could not guess how she had got his top-string. After a while, she made
a dive into her pocket, and brought out another string.

"Oh," cried Johnny Meline, "where did you get that?"

"I found it."

"That's Will Riley's top-string," said Johnny. "It was mine. He cheated
me out of it by trading an old top that wouldn't spin."

"That's the way you get your top-strings, is it, Will? Is this yours?"
asked the tormenting Susan.

"No, it isn't."

"Of course it isn't yours. You don't tie top-strings across the sidewalk
at night. You're a gentleman, you are! Come, Johnny, this string doesn't
belong to anybody; I'll trade with you for that old top that Will gave
you for a good string. I want something to remember honest Will Riley
by."

Johnny gladly pocketed the string, and Susan carried off the shabby top,
to the great amusement of the school, who now began to understand how
she had come by the two top-strings.

CHAPTER XXVII

THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL, AND THE LAST CHAPTER OF THE STORY

It was the last day of the spring term of school. With Jack this meant
the end of his opportunity for going to school. What he should learn
hereafter he must learn by himself. The money was nearly out, and he
must go to work.

The last day of school meant also the expiration of the master's
authority. Whatever evil was done after school-hours on the last day was
none of his business. All who had grudges carried them forward to that
day, for thus they could revenge themselves without being called to
account by the master the next day. The last day of school had no
to-morrow to be afraid of. Hence, Pewee and his friends proposed to
square accounts on the last day of school with Jack Dudley, whom they
hated for being the best scholar, and for having outwitted them more
than once.

It was on the first day of June that the school ended, and Mr. Williams
bade his pupils good-bye. The warm sun had by this time brought the
waters of the Ohio to a temperature that made bathing pleasant, and when
the school closed, all the boys, delighted with liberty, rushed to the
river for a good swim together. In that genial climate one can remain in
the water for hours at a time, and boys become swimmers at an early age.

Just below the village a raft was moored, and from this the youthful
swimmers were soon diving into the deep water like frogs. Every boy who
cou