Occasionally they cheered with the others, to keep up appearances; but, for the most part, they remained seated in a corner at one end of the car and talked in low tones.
"How was it that Collingwood happened to retain the fellow for all of his hand?" asked Thornton, referring to Merriwell.
"Ask me something easy!" exclaimed Flemming. "I am sure he intended to fire the fellow, but I think Merriwell begged to be given a show, and Collingwood did not have the nerve to chuck him off."
"Collingwood must be soft!"
"Oh, I don't know. I think that cad Merriwell must be a hypnotist by the way he gets around some fellows."
"I don't want to have anything further to do with him."
"Oh, you've lost your nerve since Merriwell and Griswold put up that girl job on you, and Diamond drew you into a bogus duel."
"That was enough to make any fellow lose his nerve."
"Rats!"