Part 23 (1/2)
”I am glad of it. They will turn you out next, Charley.”
”Me!”
”Yes.”
”Why should they?”
”Because they don't like you.”
”They wouldn't do that.”
”Don't you believe it,” replied Tim, shaking his head, and putting on a very wise look. ”I'll bet they'll turn you out in less than a month.”
”Do you know anything about it?”
”Not much.”
They had now reached the end of the grove, and Tim suggested that they should take seats and ”talk over matters.” Charles readily a.s.sented, and they seated themselves by the margin of the lake.
”What do you know, Tim?” asked Charles, his curiosity very much excited.
”I only know that they don't like you, and they mean to turn you out.”
”I don't believe it.”
”Do you mean to tell me I lie?”
”No, no; only I can't think they would turn _me_ out.”
”I heard Frank say as much,” replied Tim, indifferently.
”Did you.”
”To be sure I did.”
Charles stopped to think how mean it was of Frank to try to get him out of the club; how hypocritical he was, to treat him as a friend when he meant to injure him. It did not occur to him that Tim had told a falsehood, though it was generally believed that he had as lief tell a lie as the truth.
”You are a fool if you let them kick you out, as they did me,” continued Tim.
”What can I do?”
”Leave yourself.”
”Next week is vacation; and we have laid out some first-rate fun.”
”There will be no fun, let me tell you.”
”What do you mean, Tim?”
”If you want to be the c.o.xswain of a boat as good as the Zephyr next week, only say the word,” replied Tim, slapping him on the back.