“That’s right,” laughed Frank. “If you can do it, go ahead and do it. If I can’t hold the girl, I’m sure I don’t want her. When she willingly turns to another, he is welcome to her.”
It struck Bruce that Elsie must have willingly turned from Frank to Bart, and, for the first time in his life, he felt resentment and anger toward Elsie. Still, he continued to be angry with Frank for giving her up.
“Don’t believe you’d done it for anybody but Hodge,” he muttered sulkily. “I suppose you have Inza Burrage left. Well, by thunder! you want to look out and keep her. I’m just mad enough to lug her off myself, if I get the chance! She seemed to like that fresh lubber Starbright one spell, and if she can get smashed on him there ought to be a show for me.”
Frank smiled. He had not told Browning of his engagement to Inza. It had been Inza’s fancy that while her father was so very ill it was not best to announce the engagement.
While the situation had cleared up for the four persons most acutely interested and concerned, to those like Browning, who knew only a part of the truth, it looked more complicated and cloudy than ever.
Bruce had not intended to speak out to Frank, especially before others, and his first remark was made in a manner that was half a joke; but, having branched forth, he soon became serious and earnest.
“By gug-gug-gorry!” exclaimed Gamp. “I gotter go git ready for to-night. S’pose you’ll be on hand to lead the class, won’t we, Fuf-Frank?”
“I may not,” said Merry.
“Why? How is that?” cried Carson. “We want you.”