CHAPTER IV
DIAMOND’S OPINION.
“Well,” said Hattie, eagerly, “what success?”
“Mr. Diamond,” said Mabel, with wonderful seriousness for her, “is a perfect gentleman and a splendid fellow. I am sure now that he is in love, and he will be true to the fortunate girl. There are not many fellows like him, and the girl who finds one is lucky.”
“Why, Mabel!” exclaimed the dark-haired girl, “I believe you are more than half in love with him yourself!”
Then Mabel was confused.
“Perhaps I am,” she finally said, with a defiant toss of her head. “Even if I am, I wouldn’t try to cut the other girl out. I have satisfied myself that he is constant, and that was what I was trying to do. Had he flirted with me, I was ready to give him a calling down.”
“Do you hear, Hodge?” laughed Merriwell. “Beware how you flirt with Belfast girls. They are liable to be fooling you all the time.”
“Why, I’ll not dare look at one of them after this,” said Bart, with an air of absolute seriousness.
“You must not be frightened so easily,” smiled Mabel. “Not every fellow is a Diamond.”