"Pushed on past me when I was on noon guard. I trailed him to his class group later and got his name."
Don nodded. "He ever say anything to you about it?"
"No. I've seen him in the halls a few times since then. He always avoided me—up to now."
"I see." Don nodded. "But today, he suddenly went for you—with reinforcements."
Pete grinned wanly. "I guess I'll have to get used to things like that," he said. "Ever since Uncle Harle was——" He clasped his hands together, then turned suddenly aside.
For an instant, he stood, head averted, then he ran over to lean against a row of lockers, facing away from Michaels.
"Uncle Harle didn't—— Oh, why don't you just leave me alone?"
Don considered him for a moment, then walked over, to place a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, hold up a minute, Chum," he said. "I'm not trying to give you a bad time. Now suppose you calm down a little. Doesn't do you a bit of good to tear yourself apart. You're not responsible for whatever your uncle got into, you know."
Pete faced him, his back braced against the lockers.