In which everybody is happy, Will Benton is jocose, and justifies the title of this Romance of the Upper Mississippi.

Some few minutes later, Will Benton, who had been summoned, and Clarence were seated in the Rector’s room. To the two Father Keenan read first the letter of Wilcox.

“He was a good fellow,” said Will. “I like people who are grateful.”

“It was this gift of one hundred dollars,” said Father Keenan, “which made it so easy for me to fit you up, Clarence, and to see that Ben received decent interment. But now listen to this.”

And Father Keenan read the letter of Mr. Charles Esmond.

When he came to the passage describing Clarence as a “veritable Dan Cupid up to date,” Will Benton roared with laughter.

“Why, what’s the matter, Will?” asked the Rector.

“Did you hear it? He’s Cupid. Oh, goodness, that’s the best yet. Clarence, you’re Cupid.” And Will Benton laughed more heartily than ever.

“It isn’t such a bad joke,” said Clarence critically.

The Rector then read on to the end.

“Say,” cried Clarence, “I like that. You do a little kindness to a poor boy, and after many years he sends you money to do some more kindness to other boys. You try it out on me, and then my father gets the same idea and wants you to try it out on somebody else.”

“Kindness is catching,” said Will Benton, the kindest boy in Campion College.

“‘Our echoes roll from soul to soul,’” quoted Clarence, “‘and grow forever and forever.’”

“The next thing for you to do, Clarence, is to go over to the Vice-President’s room and register. Will Benton will take you, and then he’ll bring you over to the small boys and let them know you are one of them. After that you are free to go with your parents so long as they remain.”

“Thank you, Father; I’ve got everything in the world I want, and I’m as happy as a big sunflower.”

On their way to the classroom building there was quite a perceptible stir among the boys, numbers of whom eyed the two with artless interest.

“What’s the matter with those boys?” asked Clarence. “What are they staring about?”

“I really think,” answered Will Benton, “that they’re staring at me. John Rieler made such a fuss about the knockout I gave Pete that he’s got all the little boys crazy. Even a lot of the big boys are stirred up about it. I’ve been keeping to my room............