After that, their silence was worse than any questions. They talked freely and merrily enough, but behind their words was a deep reserve. Lefty broke it when he had an opportunity to take Hugo aside. "What in hell is eating you? Aren't you coming back to Webster?"
"Sure. That is—I think so. I had to do this to make some money. Just about the time school closed, my family went broke."
"But, good God, man, why didn't you tell us? My father is an alumnus and he'd put up five thousand a year, if necessary, to see you kept on the football team."
Hugo laughed. "You don't think I'd take it, Lefty?"
"Why not?" A pause. "No, I suppose you'd be just the God-damned kind of a fool that wouldn't. Who's the girl?"
Hugo did not falter. "She's a tart I've been living with. I never knew a better one—girl, that is."
"Have you gone crazy?"
"On the contrary, I've got wise."
"Well, for Christ's sake, don't say anything about it on the campus."
Hugo bit his lip. "Don't worry. My business is—my own."