“Aren’t you hungry, Brownie?”
“Sure, Vic; always am.”
“Coming, then?”
“Can’t!”
“Why not?”
“For obvious reasons, my dear sir.”
“Humph! Wants me to offer it to him. Not on your life!” was another of Victor’s reflections. “How are you going to manage, Brandon?”
“Time will tell, Vic.”
The Chicago boy stood, irresolute; his better nature prompted him to offer assistance. But the slights Victor imagined he had suffered suddenly flashed into his mind.
“No; I won’t do it. If the duffer is too all-fired proud to speak up he’ll get out of his fix the best way he can.”