“Well, come down to a later day. At the auction you commanded me not to bid on the Belle. You pitched into me, tooth and nail, because I did bid. You forbade my going on the Ucayga, just as Tommy Toppleton ordered me not to ride on his railroad, though I paid my fare in both instances. I don’t rake up these things for any other purpose than to prove what I said. You can’t expect any fellow to like you if you conduct yourself in such a manner.”
“What shall I do?”
“Do anything but what you have done. Respect the wishes and feelings, and especially the rights, of others, whether they be poor or rich. I happen to know myself that the institute fellows are down upon you, and that they don’t mean to stand your domineering and tyranny much longer.”
“What are they going to do?” he asked curiously.
“I’m sure I don’t know; only that they mean mutiny, in general terms. It is just the same on our side of the lake. The Toppletonians intend to pull Tommy down from his high places. At the last election of officers they did elect another president, but he declined to serve, though he was sorry enough afterward that he did not stand.”
“You talk plainly, Wolf,” continued Waddie seriously. “I don’t think I’m quite so hard a fellow as you make me out to be.”
“I tell you just what I think, and just what others think.”
“You are my friend now—are you not, Wolf?”
“I will do everything I can for you; and if you will do what is right I will stand by you to the end of time.”
“By the great horn spoon, I will do right if I know how! You shall tell me what to do.”