"Thank
you, just the same. Ernie and me are not cut out for places like
Jenison Hall. We--we'd have all the silver inside of a week--and maybe
the furniture." His face flushed as he made this banal excuse for
jest.
Ruby cried out in protest. "Don't say that, Dick Cronk! You
_could_ be different. Oh, why don't you try it, Dick?"
He looked down. His lips worked in the effort to force a grin of
derision. His hand was trembling. No one spoke; somehow they felt the
struggle that was going on within him. At last he lifted his eyes to
hers.
"Can't do it, Ruby," he said quietly. "I don't think I'm naturally a
thief, but it's got hold of me. If I thought there was a chance, maybe
I'd--oh, but what's the use! Let's change the subject. Jacky, before
we part for the night, I want to say something more to you. It hurts
like the devil to say it, but I got to. You said you'd like me and
Ernie to--to come down there. Well, I may as well tell you right here
in front of these friends of our'n that Ernie--my brother, don't like
you. Now, don't say anything! You can't understand. He's terrible
bitter against you.
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