furnishing subjects for the news that was despatched to a Virginia
seminary.

"Come on, old ramrod," urged Greg one Saturday night, as he gave
great heed to his dressing. "You'll bone yourself dry, staying
here all the time with Smith's conic sections. Drop that dry
math. rot and stag it with me over at Cullum tonight. You can
take math. up again after chapel tomorrow."

"Thank you," replied Prescott, turning around from the study table
at which he was seated. "I don't care much for the social whirl
while there's any doubt about the January exams. It would be
no pleasure to go over to Cullum. There'll be real satisfaction
if I can look forward to better marking this coming week."

Dick spent his time until taps at the study table. But when he
closed the book it was with a sigh of satisfaction.

"If I can only go through a few more nights as easily as I have
tonight, I'll soon astound myself by maxing it" (making one of
the highest marks), he told himself. "I think I'm beginning to
see real light in conic sections, but I'll have the books out
again tomorrow afternoon."

* * * * * * * *

"Well?" challenged Holmes gayly, as he entered their room after
the hop.

"I believe I'm going to turn over a new leaf and max it some,"