“I can’t understand it. I was in hopes that, after all I have done and said, you really did like me.”
“I don’t dislike you.”
“No matter; of course, I can’t blame you for not liking me; but I want to begin anew. When I gave you my hand, and wanted to be friends, I was in real earnest. I want you to be my friend, and stand by me.”
“Stand by you!” I exclaimed. “I can’t stand by you unless you are in the right. I wouldn’t stand by you after you, with another, had caught a small boy and licked him.”
Waddie bit his lips, and I thought he was going to get mad, for what I had said was a home-thrust.
“I was wrong in that, Wolf,” said he, with a struggle, which was creditable to him, and which raised him very much in my estimation.
“You were, indeed; and that scrape was the father of the one you got into to-day.”
“I know it; and I am afraid there are other scrapes in store for me. The institute fellows and the members of our battalion are down upon me; so is the steamboat company.”
“Do you wish me to tell you just what I think, Waddie?” I asked.
“I certainly do.”