As Dave concluded there was a round of applause, and the club members drank his health in lemon soda and sarsaparilla. Then some nuts and raisins were passed around, and all prepared to return to Oak Hall.
"We've got to go in quietly, or else there may be trouble," said Phil. "Remember, we don't know what Merwell and Poole will do."
There was no trouble, however, for which Dave was thankful, since he wished to leave the Hall with a clean record. As soon as he reached his dormitory he went to bed, and so did the other occupants of the apartment. And thus his schooldays, for the time being, came to an end.
He was up bright and early and by nine o'clock was ready to enter the sleigh that was to take him to Oakdale station. The boys gathered around to see him off.
"I wish I was going with you," said Phil. "You must write me regularly."
"I'll do that, Phil. And you must tell me all about what happens here."
"Remember, Dave, I'll join you if I possibly can," said Roger. "Let me know where I can telegraph or telephone you."
"Sure, Roger, and if you can join me I'll like it first-rate."
An hour later Dave was on the train and speeding towards Crumville. He had sent word ahead when he would arrive, and at the station he found the Wadsworth sleigh, with Caspar Potts and Jessie Wadsworth awaiting him. The old professor looked hale and hearty, although his form was slightly bent and his hair was gray and white. Jessie, round-cheeked and rosy, was the picture of health and beauty.
"There he is! There's Dave!" cried the miss, and leaped to the sidewalk to shake hands.
"Why, how tall you are getting, Jessie," said the boy, and then blushed, for the handshake she gave him was a very cordial one. "How do you do, Professor?" And he shook hands with the man who had done so much for him in his younger years.
"I am very well indeed, Dave," answered Professor Potts. "Will you sit up here by me, or with Miss Jessie?"
"Dave must come in with me," said Jessie, promptly.
"Did my Uncle Dunston come?" questioned the boy, looking around, for he had fully expected to see his relative.
"No, he has a touch of rheumatism in his left knee," answered Caspar Potts.
Dave assisted Jessie to a seat and then got in beside her, and tucked in the handsome fur robe. Off went the team at a spanking gait, past the stores of the town and then in the direction of the Wadsworth mansion. Many looked at Dave as he rode by and thought him a lucky boy--and he certainly was lucky, and thankful for it.