[CHAPTER IV.]
THE QUARREL OF FRIENDS.
Parmenter, fresh from his extorted confession of hazing, went back across the campus with his mind in a tumult. Half a dozen students spoke to him on the way, but he did not answer them. He could see nothing but Professor Lee’s white, strong face; he could hear nothing but his terrible words of condemnation.
What right had this man to denounce him as brutal and unmanly? Would he have dared to do so if he had known how deeply his own son was involved in the mischief? It was plain that Charley had not told his father of the hazing. Van Loan must then have broken faith.
But for the time all of Parmenter’s anger was centered, not on Van Loan, who had betrayed him, but on Professor Lee, who had denounced him.
Every moment some new recollection of the scene in President Mather’s study added fuel to the flame of his resentment. His indignation was so great that it had not yet even occurred to him what punishment he should receive for his offense, or whether he should receive any.
He went up the section stairs blinded with passion, ready to strike out savagely at anything and everything that pertained in any way to Professor Lee.
When he entered his room he found Charley Lee seated at his table. Certainly no meeting could have been more opportune for trouble.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” Charley said quietly. “I’ve just heard that absurd story about father’s opposition to your appointment to the prize stage.”