“I don’t think we’re going to,” Merry answered. “You can bet your last copper, though, that we’re not going to have a walk-away. Let’s figure out the make-up, fellows. Pink, take a pencil and paper and put Jode Lenning’s name at the head of the list.”
Ballard and Clancy straightened suddenly in their chairs and gave Merriwell a startled look.
CHAPTER XXVII.
THE LINE-UP.
Merry’s friendship for Lenning had been dead against the sentiments and the judgment of Clancy and Ballard. That Merry’s insight into the fellow’s nature had been more keen and more correct than their own, Clancy and Ballard were forced to admit. Nevertheless, they still felt that Lenning was more or less of a crook, and it surprised them to have Merry mention his name at all in connection with the prospective nine.
“What’s biting you?” asked Frank, meeting the stare of his chums good-naturedly.
“Can’t you find enough players without taking on Lenning?” queried Ballard.
“Possibly, Pink, but I want him.”
“The rest won’t stand for it, Chip,” blurted out Clancy.
“Why won’t they?”