“Then he’s not very modest, for he was forever putting himself ahead.”
“He never put himself ahead in the world, sir! Others put him there. They recognized his abilities and made him a leader. This spring he is captain of the Yale nine.”
“It’s a wonder that he’s not on the crew, also!”
“He has been on the crew in the past, and he keeps himself in such trim that he can take an oar at any time. If anything happens that he is needed, as has happened in the past, I have no doubt but he will pull with the crew in the great race.”
“A modern marvel, to be sure! Why, he’s the athletic wonder of the age!”
“In some respects he is,” she agreed defiantly. “But he is a gentleman, as well as an athlete. You should meet him again, Mr. Swift; it would do you a world of good.”
By this time he was beginning to feel the sting of her repeated insinuations, and he bit his lips, though continuing to smile.
“I haven’t the least desire to meet the fellow again, Miss Burrage. In fact, I would not turn one step out of my course to do so, though, as a rule, I’m fond of meeting anybody who ever attended Fardale.”
“He must have offended you greatly, sir?”
“Oh, not at all!”