“Jack,” said Merry, “you shall not ruin your life for a woman. You may have been too hasty in quarreling with her——”
“I was—I know it now! I knew it an hour after the quarrel. But she would not see me, and all my letters to her came back unopened. I could not put myself right in her eyes.”
“She is very proud.”
“So am I! There are no prouder people in all Virginia than the Diamonds; but I was willing to humble myself before that girl, to confess that I was wrong, and to ask her forgiveness.”
“Having failed, your pride should keep you from going to the dogs. It is the weak man who gives up and goes to the dogs because a girl refuses him or casts him over.”
After a while Jack said:
“I believe you are right, Merriwell; yes, I know you are right. You’re always right.”
Merry was well satisfied with the turn of affairs.
“Then you promise me now and here that you will straighten out and be a man?”
“I promise.”