“Yes, I think so.”
“See you in the morning, anyway. Don’t forget to get Patterson to hold off until twelve to-morrow; later, if he’s willing. And keep your head up, Rus. We’ll pull it off all right.”
[CHAPTER XXI]
STICK SELLS OUT
Stick Patterson was drawing meaningless lines and figures on a sheet of paper when Russell opened the door, and he didn’t cease doing it nor relapse from his preoccupied attitude until Russell had drawn his chair nearer the end of the table, from where he could see his companion without having to dodge the lamp, and seated himself. Then Stick looked across gloomily.
“I want to talk about—about this,” announced Russell.
Stick returned his level gaze a moment and then tossed the pencil he had held aside and thrust his hands into the pockets of his coat. “So do I,” he replied with a tone of relief. “Look here, Rus, I’ve been thinking about it, and I guess I’ve been wrong. I don’t believe it would be fair to you to sell out to some other chap. You and he might not get on together the way we do. I’ve decided to stick it out. Maybe later you’ll have the money. Anyway, I’ll stay with you to the end of the school year, or as long as we hold out. Even if we do bust, maybe we’ll save something.”
“That’s fine, Stick,” replied Russell gratefully. “And it’s very decent of you. You have a perfect right to sell, of course, but if you did it would put me out of business, I guess.”
“I don’t see why, Rus. Anyway, I’m not going—”