“Well, sir, I wish it was some one of those few million boys who want him for a brother who had him instead of me!”
“What’s this?” cried Jack, aghast. “Treason! Who ever heard of such a thing? Boy, you’re crazy!”
But Dick stood up defiantly, his proud lips curling with scorn.
“A regular heart-blow!” muttered Ready weakly. “Is this a sample of the brothers you pick up, Merry? Oh, my, my! And you the idol of Yale!”
Frank laughed.
“I enjoy it, Ready,” he said, and his manner seemed to indicate that he told the truth. “I don’t think I ever had anything satisfy me more than has this rebellious disposition of my high-spirited young brother here.”
This made Dick tremble with anger.
“I’m not doing it to please you!” he cried. “I won’t please you!”
But Merry simply smiled.
“You can’t help it, Dick,” he asserted. “In disliking me so ardently you have provided me with a new sensation. I assure you that it has given me pleasure to watch and study you.”