Well, there was some satisfaction in knowing that he himself was not the only one to suffer. He did not know that he had much sympathy to waste on Charley, after all. He was sure he had none for Charley’s father.
He picked up a book and tried to study; but he read the pages over and over again without remembering a word that was printed on them. Deep in his breast a voice kept saying, “Poor Charley! poor Charley!”
It aggravated him. He threw the book aside, put on his hat, and started for the city. At the college gate he came suddenly upon Lee, who was walking up alone. His hands were deep in his pockets, his gait was slow, his gaze was on the ground.
When he looked up, Parmenter noticed that his face was pale and haggard, and his eyes were bloodshot.
Charley’s appearance indicated that he had passed a sleepless night. He stopped, when he saw Parmenter, and seemed about to speak; but in a moment he changed his mind, for when Parmenter stopped in his turn, ready to reply to any friendly word, Lee passed on without a nod or smile, or any kindly look.
After that, whenever the two young men met, in the class-room, on the campus, or the street, they had for each other nothing beyond the merest look of indifference, the merest nod of recognition.
[CHAPTER V.]
A COWARDLY REVENGE.
It is hard to say whether Parmenter or Charley Lee suffered more from their estrangement, and impossible to declare which felt more keenly the disgrace of his punishment.