“Harder? Don’t you suppose that I have my own troubles, too? Have you appealed to your folks?”
“No, and I’m not going to!” Bruce spoke fiercely.
“You may have to,” and the Latin instructor’s tone was threatening. “I shall not wait much longer, and if you do not make the appeal I shall do so myself.”
“Oh, Professor Skeel, surely you wouldn’t do that!”
“I certainly shall, unless you settle with me soon. I will wait but a little longer.”
“Well, I’ll see what I can do,” spoke Bruce, wearily.
“You’d better,” answered the professor significantly, as he turned aside.
Tom, coming along with Jack and some of his chums, heard the last words, though no one else seemed to have done so. He also noticed the threatening attitude of the Latin instructor, and was aware of the despondent attitude of the Senior student.
“I wish I knew what was up between them,” mused Tom. “I would do a lot to help Bruce. Maybe it’s some trouble about examination papers. And yet I know Bruce wouldn’t be guilty of cheating, or anything like that. I wonder what it is?”
But Tom had little time to think by himself quietly, for his chums were jostling all about him, talking of the race, congratulating him over and over again, while some spoke significantly of Heller’s action.