Nevertheless, she succeeded in leading him down to the dining room, and he took a seat at the table. However, he did not participate in the talk and laughter of the company, and after a while his gloomy spirits began to dampen the pleasure of the others.
Obediah Tubbs seemed to be the only one who was not disturbed, and he was so absorbed in eating pie, several of which had been provided for him, that he failed to notice the growing shadow.
When refreshments were over June urged some of the boys to sing, and she accompanied them on the piano. They sang “Fardale’s Way,” “Fair Fardale,” and two or three similar songs; but at last the party began to break up.
In turning from the piano, Darrell bumped full and fair against Arlington.
“I beg your pardon,” said Hal.
“Well, you’d better,” flashed Chet. “You ran against me on purpose.”
“Nothing of the sort.”
“You mean to call me a liar?” hissed Arlington. “I won’t take that front any fellow anywhere.”
In another moment he would have struck Hal in the face, but his wrist was seized by Dick, and some of the others stepped quickly between them. The girls were frightened, and June’s distress was completed by this ungentlemanly act on the part of her brother.
“Chester!” she entreated. “For my sake—please! please!”