“Even a snake may have its fangs drawn.”
“But the disposition to coil and strike remains in the snake. Morgan has the eyes of a snake. Haven’t you ever seen them glitter? He knows when that snaky look gets into his eyes, and he hides it with his drooping eyelashes. He can smile, but a man may smile and smile, and be a villain still. I told myself some time ago that I’d never mention Morgan’s name to you like this again; but, by the eternal skies! when I find him coming from your room at an hour close on to midnight, it is too much for me! I have to open my mouth.”
Bart was almost shaking with the intensity of his feelings. Without permitting Frank to speak, he went on:
“I have tried to conquer my hatred for that fellow for your sake, Frank; I have even brought myself to catch his pitching, which I once swore I’d never do. When I hate a man I hate him for all time. Don’t speak of Badger! I know I disliked him, but, somehow, I never hated him in the way I hate Morgan. My hatred for Morgan is all through me—it is in every part of me. I can never make myself feel any other way toward him. I did bring myself to use Badger decently, though I must confess that I know I can never really like him. But he is as much different from Morgan as day is from night. Badger is something like me. Perhaps that was why I disliked him so. I haven’t any use for a fellow like me. I’ve wondered many times why you should have any use for such a chap.”
“Hodge!”
“Oh, I know—I know, Frank! I appreciate it! I was a rascal when we first met, but I was not a natural-born snake like Morgan! I had become degraded through self-indulgence and associating with bad companions. My mother——”
“Is one of the sweetest women in the world, God bless her!” broke in Frank.
Bart was touched, but he went on:
“She tried to bring me up right, Merriwell. It was not her fault that I came so near going to the dogs. She loves you, Merry, because you have been my true friend. I have stuck by you through thick and thin, and——”
“Bart, you have been my truest friend!” exclaimed Frank sincerely, advancing and placing his hands on the shoulders of the frowning, excited youth. “I have understood you when others have not, and I knew the full depths of your friendship.”