My companion was gentle and kind to me. He acted like an altered person—using no harsh or bullying language and appearing to be only anxious to ascertain what was right, in order that he might do it. I followed him into his father’s library, where a cheerful fire blazed in the grate, and we seated ourselves before it. I had hardly ever been in this room before, though I had frequently visited the major’s library.
“Wolf, just as the Belle came up to the pier I asked what you would do if you were in my place,” said Waddie, after we had comfortably disposed ourselves in the cushioned armchairs. “You did not answer me.”
“You ask me hard questions, Waddie,” I replied, laughing. “I do know what I should do if I were in your place, but I do not like to set myself up as your adviser.”
“I ask you to do it. I will thank you for it.”
“I will tell you what I think, and then you can do as you like. I can give you advice; but you are not obliged to follow it, you know.”
“Don’t you be so afraid to speak, Wolf!” added Waddie rather impatiently.
“Well, then, in the first place, I should make my peace with all the fellows, whether in the institute or not.”
“I’m going to do that; but the thing of it is, how to do it.”
“You have been riding a high horse. You are major, president, and I don’t know what not. You have used those positions to tyrannize over and bully even your best friends.”
“Well?” said he, as I paused to note the effect of these words upon him.