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

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“Not exactly the act of a friend of whom one can be proud,” broke from Garland. “I think you’ll have to acknowledge that, Mr. Merriwell.”

Frank was determined to defend Bart as far as possible.

“You do not know all that happened at the theater to-day,” he said. “Hodge and I had some words.”

It was galling for him to make that confession, but he felt that something must be said to explain the sudden desertion of Bart.

Garland whistled a bit.

“Then that must have happened before the unpleasantness between Hodge and Vance?” he said.

“It did,” nodded Merry. “Hodge left me in anger. He is hot-blooded and impulsive, and he did not stop to reason about the matter. He has skipped out, it is evident, but I believe he will cool down and come back when he comes to think it all over.”

“But he’ll be treating you dirty if he doesn’t come back in time for the performance to-night,” said Garland. “You would not be likely to take him back if he returned to-morrow. I’m sure you wouldn’t take back any of the rest of us if we served you such a trick.”