"But, my dear fellow, they are members," replied Pelham, chuckling.
"They are not? and you know they are not."
"But, Shuffles, just consider that all of them voted for you."
"I don't care for that."
"I do. You recognized them as members first, and I couldn't do less than you did."
"You are a traitor!" said Shuffles, red in the face with passion; and the word hissed through his closed teeth.
"Well, just as you like: we won't quarrel about the meaning of words," replied Pelham, gayly; for he enjoyed the discomfiture of his rival, and felt that Shuffles deserved all he got, for the foul play of which he had been guilty on the ballot.
"You pledged yourself to be honest, and stand by the vote, fair or foul."
"Very true, my dear fellow? and I do so. Give me your orders, and I will obey them."
"But you have exposed the whole thing," retorted Shuffles. "What can we do now, when Kendall and the captain know all about it?"