That made her long to express herself still more plainly, but Inza was a lady above everything else, and she could hold herself in restraint under certain conditions, for all of her passionate nature. “I hardly think I was fooled; but I am certain you were deceived, or that you are inclined to maliciously misjudge him. I do hope it is not the latter case.” “Thanks. I wouldn’t put myself to the trouble to misjudge him, for I do not regard the fellow as worth judging at all.” That was hard to bear! Had Inza been a man she might have placed her hand on Roy Swift’s collar just then. “I am sure he made a good record at the academy!” “But did not graduate.” “His guardian died.” “Still, he might have remained in the academy.” “The provisions of his uncle’s will gave him a better opportunity to secure an education. Professor Scotch was appointed his guardian, and it was arranged that he should travel while being tutored by the professor. He was fitted to enter college.” “You seem to know all about his affairs, Miss Burrage. It is plain that you did take a very strong interest in him.” “Why shouldn’t I? Do you think I’d forget one who saved me from the jaws of a mad dog? I saw him fight that dog with nothing but a pocket-knife! From that hour I took an interest in him that has never relaxed, and I am proud of it now.” “Oh, well, it’s all right,” smiled Swift, in an easy way. “I did not know I was hurting you, else you may be sure I’d not said so much. But, of course, I must continue to think what I like about him.” “That’s it—you think what you wish to think, not what is the truth about him.” “Oh, Miss Burrage!” “I know it!” she persisted, her dark eyes flashing. “Do you imagine that you are showing a liberal spirit, Mr. Swift? Don’t you think you are making yourself seem rather small and mean?” “Inza!” exclaimed her father restrainingly. “Don’t be disturbed, papa,” she said, soothingly. “I can take care of this case very well.” Again Swift laughed. “By Jove!” he cried; “you are the same spirited girl as of old! I don’t wonder Merriwell was crazy over you!” How offensive he was! Yet he seemed to fancy he had said something to please her. “I have said,” she reminded, “that he was always a gentleman. Those who associated much with him imbibed something of his spirit. You should have known him better, Mr. Swift.” “Oh, well, let’s let him drop,” he urged. “He is of no particular consequence. I’ve heard he’s working all the time to make himself popular in college.” “He does not have to work to become popular. He is a natural leader, and men flock round him because they cannot help it. He was captain of the eleven last fall, and Yale did not lose a game. It had the greatest football-team ever put on the gridiron.” “And, of course, he won all the critical games? Ha, ha, ha!” “He won the most critical game, the one against Harvard. Everybody has given him credit for that.” “He must be a high-stepper now!” “He is as modest as ever.”