"Come, don't be so glum, Hal. I've something to say to you," Ed continued, glancing around the room.
His comrades were all occupied in another part of the room.
"Now," went on Hopkins, lowering his voice, "we fellows," nodding toward the group, "are planning a little business. And if you want to, you can help us."
"What is it?" asked Harry, indifferently.
Edward took no notice of his manner, but went on:
"Well, we're going to—er—ah—walk into a small establishment, you know," and he winked slyly at Harry.
"Steal?" asked Harry, in a cold tone.
"If you like to put it that way, yes."
"Look here, Ed Hopkins," and Harry turned in scorn upon this hypocritical friend, who seemed so desirous of ruining him entirely. "Look here," he repeated, "let me tell you I don't want to share any of your 'little plans.' I've fallen low, I know, but I'm not a thief yet," and Harry straightened himself up and looked with a flashing eye into the crafty face beside him.
Hopkins was angry, as much because he had partially let Harry into his secret, as because he had refused to join him. However, he congratulated himself that he had not gone very far, and he left him abruptly, in a high temper, going over to the group at the other end of the room.