“Well, what of it? They came to Ashton on business—they had to get their stuff away from the college.”
“Did you meet them by accident?”
“What business is that of yours?” And Dudd Flockley’s voice grew aggressive.
“Perhaps it is none of my business, Dudd. But, just the same, I am going to talk to you about it. You know all about what happened in the past. Koswell and Larkspur are bad eggs—and if they can drag you down with them they will do it. Now, you promised to turn over a new leaf and on the strength of that we went to Doctor Wallington and persuaded him to give you another chance. It isn’t fair for you to go back on your word, and take up with Koswell and Larkspur again.”
“Are you going to tell the doctor that I met them?” asked Flockley, in alarm.
“No—at least, not for the present. But I want you to promise to drop that pair.”
“I have dropped them—that is, as much as I can.”
“Then why do you meet them?”
“I’ll tell you why!” burst out the dudish student, bitterly. “Because I can’t drop them altogether. They know everything of what happened as well as I do, and they said if I dropped them entirely—refused to help them—they would expose me to the whole world! If they should tell my folks——” Flockley did not finish, but his head sunk on his breast, and Dick and Tom understood.
“It’s too bad—a burning shame!” murmured Tom. “Flockley, I am sorry from the bottom of my heart!”