For several weeks, indeed ever since the time when Dan had interfered with the school bully in his tormenting little Carlton Hall, Gus to all appearances had ignored or forgotten the ill will which he had manifested for the new member of his own class. He had been indifferent rather than openly unfriendly, and Dan had been well content to be left alone. His dislike for his rough and brutal classmate had become stronger as he noticed his growing intimacy with Walter, who was quickly and easily influenced by his surroundings. Dan now understood a part of the reason why Mr. Borden had offered to send him to the Tait School though he grimly resolved never to betray his knowledge to anyone, least of all to Walter.
The present visit and sneering words of Gus were somewhat unexpected and Dan suspected that there was more behind them than he was able to see at the present time. His voice did not betray his anger at the contemptuous question of his visitor and without further conversation he quietly prepared to leave the room.
“Where you going, Dan?” said Walter.
“Don’t hinder little Carlton’s nurse,” laughed Gus. “The poor child may need his bottle. He wants somebody to play with him. Don’t you know that good little boys die young?”
“What’s the matter with you, Gus?” demanded Walter, nevertheless laughing at the taunting words of his classmate.
“Nothing the matter with me!” declared Gus. “I’m fit. I was never in better form in my life. I wish the game with the Military Academy was to-morrow instead of a week from Saturday. I want a chance to line up against Hackett. Last year he served me a trick that I haven’t forgotten. No one ever does that to me and lives to tell the tale.” As he spoke, the bully looked brutally at Dan, as if there was some vague and implied threat in his words.
“You’re enough for any fellow in the school,” laughed Walter.
“Am I? Well, you tell your rube roommate that if he can keep his little friend’s mouth shut he’ll be doing him a mighty friendly turn. It will be better for everybody concerned.”
“What has he been doing now?”
“Setting Mr. Hale after me,” said Gus angrily. “What do you think is the latest?”