Hodge choked a little, but went on with forced calmness:
“If that is true, are you ready to sacrifice me now, Merriwell? I solemnly swear to you that I must step out of the circle of your friends when Morgan steps in. And I have heard it rumored that the fellow will be taken into your flock directly.”
“You believed the rumor?”
“Well, I did not until—until just now. What am I to think when I find him coming from your room at this hour, Merriwell? What can I think?”
“So that was all the trouble. Bart, Morgan told me here to my face that he doubted if we could ever become friends. He has no desire to be taken into the flock.”
“Trickery! Deception! He is full of it! He knows that is the best way to get in! If he showed eagerness to be admitted, he knows you might turn him down.”
“I do not think so. At any rate, Bart, I have no thought of taking him into the circle.”
“Frank!”
“That is true, Bart.”
“And he will not be invited to your supper?”