“She thinks drinking debasing.”
“A bit old-fashioned for a girl of to-day, eh?”
“It seems to be behind the times, but somehow I can’t help respecting her for it.”
“Why, I’ve heard you laugh about blue stockings more than once. You’ve told me you had no use for a girl who would not take a glass of wine and be jolly.”
“I thought so; but Inza Burrage can be jolly without taking a glass of wine. The girl who drinks a little is all right to fool with, but I’ve concluded she isn’t the sort to get smashed on.”
“Then you are smashed on Inza Burrage? You admit it!”
“Between you and me, old man, something is the matter with me. When I saw Merriwell kiss her last night I wanted to rush in and take him by the throat. I got up to my room and decided to make him look like thirty cents to her. That’s why I’m taking all this trouble. That’s why I fixed it with Branch and the others to meet him out here. That’s why I paid for the automobile that brought them out ahead of us. I had the auto waiting to start when I gave the word. Didn’t you notice I wasn’t in any hurry about driving here?”
“Sure.”
“I didn’t propose to arrive ahead of Branch.”
“Well, while we’re loading Mr. Merriwell let’s not neglect Mr. Hodge.”