"I've heard it everywhere," muttered Williams, taken aback by the sudden defense of the recruit by the manager.
"Well, don't hear any more of it," snapped Clancy, and McCarthy, feeling he had emerged with the honors, discretely maintained silence.
"What started Adonis after you this morning?" asked Swanson, as he hurled garments around the room and wrought disaster to the order of his trunk as he hunted pajamas.
"Guess he was just trying to start something," responded McCarthy, still reading.
"Girl?" inquired Swanson.
"What makes you think that?"
"He was mad when he saw you at breakfast with Betty. He's jealous of everyone who talks to her."
"She's a dandy girl," said McCarthy, generously. "I don't much blame a fellow for being jealous when he is engaged to a girl like that."
"Engaged to Betty Tabor? That stiff?" ejaculated Swanson. "Say, did he spring a line of talk like that on you? Why, he has been crazy about her for three years, but she knows what he is, and she won't talk to him any more than to be polite."
"I thought it was odd," commented McCarthy, his heart becoming strangely lighter.