“Look here, Monty! Why not go and see Rumford? I don’t believe he’s a bad sort. If you told him frankly that you didn’t mean to get him into it I’ll bet he’d act decent.”
Monty shook his head. “No, thanks. He and I aren’t on very good terms just now, anyway. I’ve been rotten in English ever since Bonner put me in at full. And I wasn’t very good before. No, he wouldn’t believe me. Anyway, I don’t feel just like licking his boots. I guess I’ve had enough of this place, Leon. I’ve had a good time, all right, and I do like the school, but I guess I’m hoodooed. Someone put tallow on my feet and I can’t stay anywhere very long.” After a moment he added: “I’m going to miss you, old man.”
“Maybe I’ll beat it, too,” responded Leon dejectedly. “Only I wish you wouldn’t, Monty. Why can’t you take your punishment like a sport and stay on here? Look at all the good times we were going to have. You know what you promised about Christmas vacation, too.”
“Oh, I might visit you then, anyway,” said Monty. “I don’t believe I’ll start anywhere else until the first of the year. Well, you’re cold and we might as well go in. If I don’t see you again——”
“Forget it!” exploded Leon. “You’re not going to leave school, and you might as well know it! You’re going to stay here if I have to go and tell Charley!”
“He can’t make me stay,” replied Monty calmly. “I’ve got a right to leave any time I want to.”
“Well, then—then—” But Leon halted helplessly. Finally: “Then will you do this, Monty? Will you keep away from Standart until tomorrow and not hike out before tomorrow afternoon?”
“What’s the idea?”
“Because I want you to. Because I ask you to, Monty. You might do that much for me, considering that you’re going to leave me all alone here.”