“Do you think I was going to bring Hooker, a student at this college, in here and not introduce him to those who were present? What sort of a way would that be to treat him? Under the circumstances, there was but one thing for me to do. I attempted to do it, and the fellows I have called my friends insulted Hooker—yes, they insulted me, and by the Lord Harry, they’ll have to apologize to both of us for it before I have anything more to do with them!”
Now, Bart Hodge knew that when Merriwell was aroused in this manner he felt strongly on the subject, and it would be no easy matter to turn his mind. Hodge was taken aback. He had intended to go at Merry hammer and tongs and quickly convince him that he was making a mistake in having anything at all to do with Jim Hooker, but now he realized that he had a mighty task before him.
“What?” gasped Bart. “You don’t mean——”
“I mean just what I have said.”
“And you will continue to associate with Hooker, for all of his disreputable father?”
“I shall continue to associate with him till I am convinced that he is not worthy of my friendship.”
Hodge gasped at that.
“You know there are some bad stories afloat concerning him,” he quickly said.
“What sort of stories?”
“They say he is following in the tracks of his father.”