The Senior retired with a white face. He was furious, but he thought it due himself to turn the other cheek by saying nothing. He reported his version to a circle of friends, and from them it spread like grass seed in the wind. Soon it was generally known that Jeff Farnum had grossly insulted with blasphemy a man who had tried to save his soul.
Two days later Miller met Jeff at the door of Frome 15.
“You're in bad! Jeff. What the deuce did you do to Sissy Thomas?”
“Gave him some good advice.”
Miller grinned. “I'll bet you did. The little cad has been poisoning the wells against you. Look there.”
A young woman of their class had passed into the room. Her glance had fallen upon Farnum and been quickly averted.
“That's the first time Bessie Vroom ever cut you,” Sam continued angrily. “Thomas is responsible. I've heard the story a dozen times already.”
“I only told him to mind his own business.”
“He can't. He's a born meddler. Now he's queered you with the whole place.”
“Can't help it. I wasn't going to let him get away with his impudence. Why should I?”