“Oh, I just don’t like you. Tubby Jones was my best friend here until Vinton made it so hot for him he had to leave school. And then you came and took Tubby’s place in No. 28, and so—” Hiltz’s voice dwindled uncertainly into silence.
“I don’t see what I could do about it,” said Gerald with spirit. “Tubby left school because he got into some sort of trouble. That left Dan alone and he asked me to come in with him. It doesn’t make much difference to me, Hiltz, whether you like me or don’t like me, only—I haven’t done anything to you and I’d rather not have anyone down on me if I can help it. You say I’m stuck-up, but I don’t believe I am. I know there are dozens and dozens of fellows here who are smarter and nicer than I am and who haven’t got wealthy fathers. Last year, when I first came here, lots of fellows used to call me names; Money-bags, and Miss Nancy, and things like that. But they don’t do it this year and so I—I was thinking that they had forgotten about it and—and sort of liked me. I can’t help it if my father has a lot of money, Hiltz. I don’t see what that has to do with me as long as I act decently.”
Hiltz was silent, his gaze fixed on his shoes.
“Do you?” asked Gerald after a moment.
“Maybe not,” growled Hiltz. “I didn’t say I had any very good reason for disliking you; I just said I—did.” Gerald smiled and Hiltz looked up suddenly and saw it. “Oh, I know what you’re after,” he broke out. “You want me to eat humble pie and beg you to let me off and not tell Collins! Well, I won’t, by Jove! You can go ahead and tell him now. I can stand it. Being fired isn’t going to kill me.”
“I don’t want you to do anything of the sort,” answered Gerald warmly. “I’ve never thought of telling Collins.”
Hiltz viewed him incredulously.
“You haven’t! Why not?”
“Why should I? You say I don’t like you. Well, I suppose I don’t. I couldn’t very well after the way you’ve put it on me whenever you’ve had the chance. But I don’t think I dislike you—very much. And I guess if you were decent to me I could be decent to you, Hiltz. Anyway, I’m sure I don’t want you expelled.”
“Then—what will you do?” asked Hiltz rather more humbly.