“He doesn’t count for much.”
“Then, with what Walter says?”
“That’s harder, I’ll own up; but——”
“But what?”
“What does Mr. Borden say?”
“Nothing. He hasn’t said a word.”
“Have you said anything to him?”
“Not yet.”
“Then don’t.”
“Look here, Ned,” said Dan, turning about in the seat and facing his companion, “I’ll tell you that sometimes the whole affair is more than I can stand. I didn’t ask to come. I had a little money saved and I was going to the normal school. I wish now I had and hadn’t taken a cent from Mr. Borden. But he came to me and told me it was all pure sentiment on my part that made me draw back. He went on to say that he hadn’t any foolish notions about such things, that in his business he depended a good deal upon the things his friends could throw his way, and that he never refused any of them because of any such feelings as I pretended to have. Then he told me that I could look upon it as a pure matter of business. That Walter was a spoiled boy and that it would be worth a good deal more to him—I mean Mr. Borden—to pay what my term bills would cost just to have me room with Walter. Of course, I wanted to come, and when he put it in that light I couldn’t find any reason why I shouldn’t take up with his offer.”