my claim, slender as
you think it!"

"For Frank's sake," repeated Inza, "we will not quarrel about him! As
for these other questions----"

Winnie's light step was heard in the hall, and the sentence died
unfinished.

CHAPTER V.

HODGE'S REPENTANCE.

Bart Hodge absented himself from class and lecture, but later that
night, after all the members of the "flock" had departed from
Merriwell's room, Bart came in. His face was flushed and feverish.

"I don't care what the other fellows think, Merry!" he said, dropping
into a chair as if he felt that he had no right there. "But I do care
what you think! I went away in a huff, saying to myself that I'd never
come back until you sent for me, when I knew that you wouldn't send for
me, and that I would come back. And here I am."

"How could I have sent for you, Bart?" Merry questioned. "I knew you
would feel differently when you had time to think it all over, and I
told the fellows so."

"I don't care for their opinions!" Bart snarled. "I'd never come back
for any of them!"

"They are my friends!"

"I've been miserable ever since. I have felt like a cur as I've sneaked
round town. You needn't try to stop me! You are the truest friend I ever
had, and I've treated you like a dog. I know it, and I'm sorry for it."

"I am your friend, Bart, because I understand you, and appreciate you.
The others would think as much of you as I do, if they understood you as
well. We'll not talk any more about this matter, if you're willing, but
just turn in for the night and say nothing about it."

"How can you overlook a thing like that?" Hodge asked.

"Because I knew all the time that your better nature condemned what you
did, and that you would by and by yield to your better nature. The man
who meets a powerful temptation and finally masters it is stronger
really than one who never is tempted. I forgave you long ago, Bart, and
would have told you so if you had come back. I was angry at the time,
but I didn't remain angry."

"I've come back to tell you that I'll catch for you to-morrow--Saturday.
I swore I'd never catch for Buck Badger, but I will. I'll catch for the
Old Boy himself, if you want me to. I'm not ready to agree that he ought
to be permitted to pitch, for I hate the very sight of him; but I have
put that by, and will catch for you. It will be catching for you, you
see, Merry, and not for him. I ought to have looked at it that way
before, but I could not."

"