Hodge was not in a pleasant humor.
Granville Garland and Lester Vance came up.
“It’s almost train time,” said Garland. “Where is our energetic young manager?”
“He will be along,” Havener again asserted.
“I hope so,” said Vance. “I sincerely hope this second venture will not prove such a miserable fizzle as the first one. Everything depends on Frank Merriwell.”
“Something depends on you!” flashed Hodge, who seemed easily nettled. “Frank Merriwell’s company did all it could to make the first venture a fizzle. Now they should do all they can to make this one a success.”
“Hello, Thundercloud is lowering!” exclaimed Garland.
“Save your epithets!” exclaimed Bart. “My name is Hodge.”
“My dear Hodge,” said Garland, with mock politeness, “you must know it is but natural that we should feel a bit anxious.”
“I may feel as anxious as any of you, but I do not go round croaking about it.”