She had the biggest position of any girl in this place, or any boy either, up to the last few weeks, and there wasn't any student or hardly even a member of the faculty that had the influence or was more admired and looked up to.

She had the whole show! But now, since she's just the same as called any student a murderer if he enlists to fight for his country and his flag--well, now she hasn't got anything at all, and if she keeps on she'll have even less!" He paused in his walking to and fro and came to a halt behind his friend's chair, looking down compassionately upon the back of Ramsey's motionless head.

His tone changed.

"I guess it isn't just the ticket--me to be talking this way to you, is it ?" he said, with a trace of huskiness.
"Oh--it's all right," Ramsey murmured, not altering his position.
"I can't help blowing up," Fred went on.

"I want to say, though, I know I'm not very considerate to blow up about her to you this way.