“Fred, you are beside yourself.”
“It wouldn’t be strange if I were. But what I’m saying is the truth. Who else was criticised and harassed for taking part in the rush? Tell me of another man! Who else is summoned before the faculty for hazing Van Loan, and browbeaten, abused, and insulted? Are you, for instance? Tell me! Had you less to do with that affair than I? Yet you can walk around in an atmosphere of innocence and honor, unharmed and unsuspected, while I, poor fool, must play the part of sacrificial lamb!”
Parmenter’s face was white with passion. He strode up and down the floor like a madman.
“Fred, be careful!” Lee’s voice had a ring of danger in it now. “If Van Loan has betrayed you, do not charge it up to me and mine.”
“Oh, it was Van Loan, was it? I had my doubts whether I was indebted to Van Loan or you for that disclosure.”
This was cruel; besides, it was false, and Parmenter knew it; but his rage was running away with his conscience and his tongue.
“Take that back, Fred!” said Lee. “You know it’s not true, and I won’t stand it!”
“I take nothing back!” shouted Parmenter, angrily. “Do you hear me? Nothing!”
“Then you are a coward and an ingrate, and I shall not stay to quarrel with you!”