“Of what!” snarled Dunton. “Why, curse it! of this Merriwell business, of course!”
“I think he did remarkably well,” said Sargent, shifting his collar and tie.
Dunton caught his breath and looked dazed.
“Did well?” he muttered.
“I should say so,” murmured Sargent, looking in the glass as he adjusted the knot in his tie. “I think it was about the best job I ever saw, considering the circumstances. I don’t understand how he did it so well on such short notice. The fact that he committed the lines and was able to speak them on the stage is something beyond my understanding.”
Dunton made a rush, caught his chum by the collar, swung him round and glared into his face.
“Have you got it, too?” he snarled.
“Eh? Got what?” asked Sargent.
“This foolishness over that fellow. Everybody else seems to have it, and now, by the eternal skies! you’ve caught it. It’s too much! Now I will kill him!”
“Better not,” said Sargent, calmly.