Hugh Pendexter

“ Unable to longer endure anticipation he picked up his bag and vaulted the bars, just as his father straightened in joyous surprise. All that life had to offer would be a cheap price now, if it could but buy back the old order of content.
"Jameson!" cried the old man, advancing stiffly, with both gnarled hands outstretched. "Ye've come home to see us."
The son could only seize the hands, clutching so eagerly at his, and wring them in silence.
"Mother!" bellowed the father, snatching up the bag and eying it in genial amazement. "The boy's here. ”

“ And he smote his palm exultingly.
"And your father didn't use any disagreeable language when he pounded his finger, dear, because it was your club," smiled the mother, brushing back his hair in the old, fond way.
"I cussed like a trooper when I got out to the barn," growled the father.
"And you've been so anxious to do well at graduation that you've hurt your health," continued the mother, oblivious of her husband's defiant gaze. "Why, you don't even talk." ”

“ There's lots of chaps brighter and better than I in the class."
"Why, Jameson Ridly!" gasped his mother, highly indignant at such heresy.
"Tut! tut!" scoffed his father. "Modesty is a good thing; but, dod rot it, boy! what have yer mother and me been waiting for, and scrimping and saving for, all these years? Neither of us are fools, and we pride ourselves on having started our only son square. I swan! ye've simply got to beat 'em all, or ye'll be playing ag'in us. Why, ye can't help beating 'em. Look at yer mother! Wa'n't she the brightest gal in the whole neighborhood? ”

“ And certainly do I owe it to those young gentlemen who have always conducted themselves uprightly, to carry out my decision in your case—or in any case where repeated infraction of our rules is the offense. ”

“ In climbing up a ladder that reaches to a diploma you must have some easy rungs. It's all a part of your education and we've gloried in it. Whenever you've fetched home a new music instrument, or any other fixing, your father has always been pleased and vowed you should go through college in a pleasant way. ”

“ In his turn he lavished every attention upon them, feeling the fervor of one reprieved. He took them to his rooms—most students enjoyed but one—and waited humbly while they idolized them. He took them to dinners, and, to top all extravagances, insisted they revel in the dissipation of the town's one theater. In this round of undreamed-of delectations they could see only the loving handiwork of their boy. The theater had been created solely for them, because of his forethought ”