"May—maybe you can get her anyhow, Ernie. Maybe you can. Maybe—maybe."
But Ernie's emotion underwent a sudden change. Spitefulness leaped into his eyes; the wail of misery left his voice and in its place came shrill blasphemy. After he had cursed Dick and David Jenison to his heart's content he came to a standstill in front of his unhappy brother. Sticking out his lower jaw angrily he snapped:
"Where's the sapphire ring you got from the feller in Charlottesville?"
"I—I still got it."
"Oh, I see!" sneered Ernie, drawing back. "You're saving it to give to Ruby Noakes, eh? That's it, is it? Cheating me out of it to give to her. An engagement ring, eh? Say, you—"
"Hold on, Ernie," said Dick sternly. "I'm not going to do anything of the sort. Why—why, I couldn't give Ruby anything I'd stole. I couldn't!"
"Aw, but you don't mind giving me things you've stole. I'm different, am I? I'm not as good as she is, am I? Well, say, lemme tell you one thing: Ruby Noakes ain't going to hook up with a sneak thief."
"Ernie," said Dick, going very white and speaking very slowly, "you sometimes make me wish you'd 'a' died that time."
"I wish I had! Then they'd 'a' hung you."
"I was only nine," murmured Dick, trying to put his arm around his brother, only to have it struck away with violence.