"For myself I make no defense, but you may tell Mr. Hugh that so far as my chums are concerned he's bearing false witness. They may be poor and rough and unruly, but they're not cruel! They belong to the Torchlights!"
"The Torchlights?" cried the girls in duet.
But the boy had resumed his oars, cutting the water vigorously as though glad of a vent for his pent-up indignation. Alene wondered what he meant by the Torchlights, but did not like to ask; Laura more venturesome inquired,
"The Torchlights? What are they?"
"A sort of club," he responded, shutting his mouth with an air of finality that vexed them.
They glanced at each other. Laura's half-curled lip said plainly, "As if we really cared!" and Alene's returned scornfully, "The idea!"
They pretended not to notice his taciturnity and talked lightly to each other of their purchases and other personal matters.
The lad, left to his own reflections, continued rowing manfully. Presently he announced,
"I'll land you at the upper end of the wharf, that will be nearer home."
"Oh, thank you, that will save us quite a walk!" returned Laura.