"There comes that crackerjack second baseman. I want to meet him awfully," gushed one of the young women.
"Oh, do bring him over, Bart," pleaded the others.
Because of a lull in the music, many of the students and older people who were in the vicinity, chanced to hear the remarks, and, knowing Bart's hatred of his rival, listened eagerly for his response.
Aware of this attention, the bully surveyed Fred insolently, then turned to the girls.
"I'm very careful whom I introduce to my friends. Knowing what I do of the Markhams, I do not think you would care for this chap," he drawled.
CHAPTER XXII
THE CLOUDS BEGIN TO LIFT
In shocked amazement, Margie and the others heard this remark. The girls in the Montgomery party blushed furiously, while Fred, his face white with suppressed anger, stopped still, and then, speaking to the girl by his side, turned as though he would leave the hall.
Among those who were within hearing of Bart's brutal words chanced to be Mr. and Mrs. Vining, and Mrs. Anthony Baxter, widow of the founder of the academy, who had brought her daughters from Boston to see the game.
Speaking quickly to Mr. Vining, Mrs. Baxter raised her lorgnette and calmly surveyed Bart from foot to head.