“In some ways, yes; but you do not want to make a mistake by getting to think he’s weak, for he isn’t. He is one of the strongest men at Yale—he’s an athlete.”
“Haw!” blurted Cunningham, with a gesture of contempt. “I judge I know what that means. Them college athletes don’t amount to anything. The best of them would be a child in my hands.”
“Now, don’t make the mistake of underrating college athletes,” Ditson hastened to say. “Some of them are wonderfully strong and expert, and this Merriwell is a leader among such men.”
“All right; have it that way if yo’ want to. I don’t care.”
“If Merriwell does not play with the Yale team Virginia will win, for she has a good nine, and Virgil Paragon, her pitcher, is clever. I want her to win the worst way. It will make Merriwell feel mean, for he’s captain of the Yale team.”
“Well, how yo’ goin’ to do the trick?”
“That’s why I sent for you. That’s why I had you to come here with your team.”
“Yo’ ain’t made it clear yet.”
“I want you to carry this Merriwell off.”
“Is that all?”