Immediately both Merriwell and Hodge protested.
“Not necessarily,” said Frank. “I know many young ladies who are just as much ladies since they have begun to ride as they were before. If a girl is inclined to be unladylike, it is possible that riding a wheel may give her more opportunities to show her real nature than anything else. But the wheel is not to blame. It simply shows the person’s real nature.
“And I take exceptions, Jack, to your statement that those girls are bold. They were pleased by your appearance, and they tried to make themselves agreeable to you. That’s all.”
“I may be wrong,” admitted Jack; “but it seemed boldness. I wouldn’t say so to anyone else. Do not repeat it for the world! It might reach their ears, and I’d rather do anything than say a word to hurt the feelings of a lady.”
But his words had already reached the ears of Mabel and Hattie, for the girls were sitting on a flat stone and leaning against a bowlder less than thirty feet away.
CHAPTER V
THE FIGHT ON THE BEACH.
As soon as Merriwell, Hodge and Diamond walked away, the girls arose and hurried from the spot.
“Oh, I could kill him!” flared Hattie.
Mabel said nothing.