He did not wish to injure Frank in an underhand way, but he had found the boy from the East could more than take care of himself when given a fair show.
“If I had not seen that Sadie Rodney is stuck on him, I don’t know as I should care so much,” thought Charlie.
He tried to chat with Sadie, but she shunned him, which simply added to his rage. Then he watched for his chance to find her alone.
He found it.
“I wish to speak with you, Sadie,” he said, hurrying to her side.
“Miss Rodney, if you please,” she said, rather sharply.
“Oh, all right!” grated Charlie. “You have permitted me to call you by your given name at times in the past.”
“I may have permitted it without being at all pleased by such familiarity.”
Charlie’s face flushed.
“Something has happened to change you,” he grated, “and I know what it is.”