“Because—because I can’t stay,” answered Jack defiantly. “You—you were there and you saw it. Everybody thinks I’m a coward! Professor White said—said—” He choked and looked down miserably at his twisting fingers.
“Well, you aren’t, are you?”
Jack glanced up startledly.
“Why—why—no, I’m not a coward!” he cried.
“Didn’t think you were. You don’t look it.”
Jack experienced a grateful warmth at the heart and looked shyly and thankfully at the queer, lean face across the room.
“But—but they all think I am,” he muttered.
“I wouldn’t prove them right, then, if I were you.”
“Prove— What do you mean?”
“Mean I wouldn’t run away; mean I’d stay and fight it out. Any one can run; takes a brave man to stand and fight.”