Page:Stanwood Pier--Crashaw brothers.djvu/46

30 At that there was the questioning, hurt look in Edward’s eyes that always amused and  touched the older boy.

“I don’t see why he should hate me,” said Edward.

“He feels probably that you’ve been corrupted by evil associations,” Blanchard replied. “When you were taken up more or less at the start by Jim Payne and Fred Bell  and me, I guess that settled your prospects with Durant.”

“Oh! Then you are not friends with him?”

“Oh, yes; we’re friends.” Blanchard volunteered no explanation.

“Do you know a fellow called Shelly?” Edward asked. “A big fellow, sort of fat-faced and good-natured?”

“I certainly do. What about him?”

“He’s a good fellow, I think.”

Edward described the episode of the pocket-mirror, and Blanchard was convulsed with laughter.

“What’s the matter?” Edward asked in surprise.