s do not wish to recognize you and your friends
as acquaintances," replied Dave. "Kindly efface yourselves!"

"Don't make your lack of breeding too conspicuous," Dick advised,
in a quiet undertone, to another of the intruders who had pushed
forward to join in the conversation.

A sudden sense of discomfort seemed to sweep over the eight presuming
young men. They turned and moved away, though muttering among
themselves.

"That is the kind of young men I thought they were," Laura observed.
"I am glad that you boys sent them off about their own affairs."

Dr. Bentley joined the young people last of all.

"I have just returned from a long walk," he explained. "I have
to make the most of these brief summer vacations of mine."

When dinner was announced, Dr. and Mrs. Bentley and the young
people took seats at a long table reserved for their party.

It was a pleasant meal in the midst of an animated scene.

Over at another table the rah-rah boys made a good deal of noise
until the head waiter went to them, uttering a few words in low
tones. After that the rah-rah youngsters quieted down considerably.

A delightful half-hour stroll on the verandas followed the dinner.
Then, like most of the guests, the Gridley young people drifted
into the hotel ballroom where the musicians were playing a march.

Dick secured Mrs. Bentley for the first dance, as the doctor preferred
to remain on the veranda. Then, after the first dance, a general
change of partners was made.

But the Gridley boys were too well bred to claim all the dances
with their girl friends. Laura and her friends had other acquaintances
at the hotel. Dick & Co. stood back to give these other young
men a fair opportunity of securing some dances with the girls.

It was eleven o'clock when the hop had finished. For a few moments
Dick & Co. chatted with the Gridley High School girls on the porch.
Then they prepared to take their leave.

"We've had a splendid time, for which we must thank you all,"
Dick declared. "We did not look for any such pleasant evening
as this has been when we left home on our hike."

"We are indebted to you all for the most delightful time of our
lives," Tom stated formally with a very low bow.

"We couldn't have had a nicer time under any circumstances. Thank
you all," Dave Darrin said, on taking leave.

The other boys found words in which to fitly express their pleasure
and gratitude.

Then, as Mrs. Bentley and the gir