“There’s heaps of consolation in that!” exclaimed Harry, dolefully. “If you get it in the neck, the rest of us deserve it. If you are disgraced, I shall feel like a sneak if I do not confess my share in it and take my medicine.”
Frank came close to Harry, placing his hands on Rattleton’s shoulders, and looking him in the eyes.
“That shows your heart is all right, Rattles,” he said, with deep feeling; “but it would be a foolish thing for you to do. However, I think you are borrowing trouble. It is likely that there will be a charge against me, but I am going to laugh at it, and I doubt if Rudge can bring any proof.”
“Unless some fellow blows—some enemy of yours.”
“No fellow will dare do that.”
“Why not?”
“Such an act would brand him as a sneak.”
“It might not become publicly known who blowed.”
“It would be, for if any fellow told on us, he would have to go before the faculty. That would let it out. Oh, I do not believe I have an enemy in college who would dare do such a thing, for he would know it must bring about his social ruin the minute he did it.”
Frank was so confident on this point, that, after a time, he relieved Rattleton’s feelings somewhat, and Harry departed in a much better frame of mind than he had been when he rapped on Merry’s door.