"I didn't mean to rob her," said Stephen, half-angrily. "I needed the money, and was only goin' to borrow it for a day or two."
Luke Denton laughed. He did not admire Stephen, though he kept his company, and felt a malicious pleasure in saying disagreeable things.
"Of course; that's understood," he said. "You'd have gone round and returned the loan, with interest; that's the way you always do."
"I don't like your way of talkin', Luke," said Stephen, frowning. "You may not mean anything; but I don't like it."
"Well, never mind that. The main thing is—we both hate that impertinent stripling, and you won't feel very bad if he gets into a scrape, even if you are his brother."
"No; I shall be glad of it."
"Then I reckon you'll have a chance to be glad very soon."
"How is that? Is there anything in the wind?"
Luke nodded, and in a few sentences detailed a plan which he had devised during the time his physical injuries had obliged him to remain in the retirement of his friend's room.
Stephen laughed approvingly.