By five o'clock he knew that he wasn't going to
sleep any more. So he got up and dressed.
Dave Darrin was in his bath, that same morning, before four o'clock.
Then he, too, dressed, and wondered whether every other fellow
who was going into the contest to-day felt as restless.
The mothers of both boys were astir almost as early. Mothers
can't take these examinations, but mothers know what a son's
suspense means.
Dick and Dave met at the station a full twenty minutes before
train time.
CHAPTER XIX
Tom Reade Bosses the Job
"Ugh!" shivered Dave, as the chums met on the platform. "It's
cold out here!"
"Come inside, then, and get warm. But you're a great athlete,
to mind an ordinary December morning," laughed Dick Prescott.
Together they stepped into the waiting room.
"What time does our train go?" asked Dave, though he had known the
time of this train for the last week.
"Seven-forty," replied Dick.
"And it's seven-twenty, now. Whew, what a await!"
"I could have stayed home a little longer," nodded Dick. "Only
I told father and mother that I'd feel more like being started
if I got down here this far on the way."
"Sure thing," nodded Dave sympathetically. "My Dad had to hold
on to me to stop my leaving the house an hour earlier than I did."
Both boys laughed, though not very heartily. Each was under a
terrific strain---just from wondering!
"If I get through, and win out to-day," muttered Dick, "I know
I shan't feel half as anxious when it comes time to take the graduating
exams.
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