“You played to win?” he asked.
“Of course. You see, I——”
“All right. I wanted to be sure, Vern. Now, about this job proposition of ours. You won’t stick out your six months with Bloss, you say. Too bad you came so close, my boy, but you know I never budge an inch. A bargain’s a bargain with me.”
Looking up quickly, Vern fancied he detected a twinkle in his father’s eyes. But when he searched for it again it was gone.
“I’m not asking you to go back on your proposition,” he said. “I don’t know exactly——”
“Vern!”
It was Hazel Wayne’s voice. He whirled quickly, and took the hand she extended.
“I want to congratulate you, with all my heart,” she said. “I’m glad you won, Vern.”
He was glad, too—now. It was the first thrill of the victory, but it was well worth while. Some day, he promised himself, he would make Hazel understand how much it had hurt him to win against her wishes.
“You don’t know how ashamed of myself I felt!” she rushed on. “You see, Creighton met me yesterday and told me he was coming over to Landon’s as superintendent and——”