“That’s what I said,” answered Ned without turning.
Cal felt the blood creeping up into his face, but he went on in silence for a minute. Then,
“What do you mean by that, Ned?” he asked quietly.
“What I said.”
Another minute went by. The resentment and anger that had been simmering in Cal for a long time was threatening to boil over, but he strove hard to hold his temper in check.
“I paid for this suit myself, didn’t I?” he asked presently. Ned made no reply. Cal repeated the question: “Didn’t I, Ned?”
“So you say,” answered the other carelessly.
“Don’t you know that I did?” Cal’s voice was trembling.
“Sure,” said Ned ironically. Cal scowled and clenched his hands. Then,