Читать книгу Frank Merriwell's Prosperity; or, Toil Has Its Reward онлайн

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Again Hodge ignored her words and manner.

“I have seen you walking with Vance,” he said. “You went to church with him in Puleob. You have permitted him to show you all kinds of attentions.”

“I’ve simply been polite to him, in return for his kindness to me.”

“Polite! Kindness! I tell you I can’t stand it. That’s what ailed me to-day. That’s why I would not obey Havener. It has gnawed on me—gnawed, gnawed. I have felt like kicking that fellow. Sometimes I have found it hard to keep my hands off him. Stella—Miss Stanley, you must quit him.”

“Really! Well, now, Hodge, you are going beyond the limit.”

Still he did not heed. He paid no attention to the flush that rose to her cheeks. The words continued to pour from his lips:

“You have said you liked me. Prove it! Now is your chance! You want me to stay with the company. I’ll stay if you throw both Vance and Wynne over—give them the cold shoulder. I’ll stay for all of the call down Havener gave me. I’ll swallow my pride and let the matter drop.”