“Conceit is not lacking in your make-up, Snodgrass,” said Merry, unable to repress his amusement. “You seem to fancy yourself the biggest part of the crew.”
“You can’t deny that I’ve told you the truth!” hissed the sophomore, showing his teeth.
“I wouldn’t take the trouble to deny anything so ridiculous. Arnold, if he’d let cigarettes and drink alone, might be a better man than you to-day, yet he has to get out of the freshman boat.”
“To let in some friend of yours.”
“I have two friends among the freshmen—two particular friends, I mean. They are Starbright and Dashleigh, and both of them are already in the boat. I demand that you fellows get out because you are both crooked and unworthy to battle for the honor of your classes. That’s what I think of you.”
“I’m not going to say what I think of you,” muttered Ben.
“Perhaps it is just as well for you that you do not,” came meaningly from Merry’s lips. “As I stood behind that door listening to your talk here, I felt like jumping in and giving you both the thrashing you deserved; but I decided not to put my hands on you, and I do not wish to go back on that resolution. However, Snodgrass, if you were to become too insulting, I might forget myself and give you a little jolting.”
“You’re a bully!”
“Is that so? As a rule, I believe bullies seek to have the odds in their favor. I didn’t count on that when I entered here.”
“You entered because Arnold had discovered you were behind the door.”