“Why,” he went on, “the colonel himself would be the first to kick up trouble. I’m asking no odds of my uncle. He’s cut loose from me, and I’m not blaming him. I’ve got my own way to make, and I’m going to do it without trying to curry favor with Colonel Hawtrey. You’ll have to find another player in my place, Merriwell.”
Frank had not expected Lenning to take such a stand. Although it was beginning to look as though his choice of Lenning for the nine, if not unwise, might be hopeless, yet he continued to try persuasion.
“I’ve got my heart set on this,” said he, “and you might at least go over to the athletic field with me and join in the preliminary round-up.”
“Haven’t time for athletics,” was the answer. “I have to work nights, you know, so I can’t very well stay up all day.”
“Mr. Bradlaugh says that he’ll relieve you of your work between now and Saturday, if you’ll play.”
Lenning’s interest showed itself immediately.
“Mr. Bradlaugh said that, did he?” he asked, as though surprised.
“Yes.”
“Did he say he thought it was all right for me to get into that game?”
“That part of it was left with me, Len,” Frank answered. “You like to play ball, don’t you?”