So Ben left. At one time he had been envious of Merriwell, but now, like others, he realized that Merry was too good timber to be lost from the eleven. Halliday overcame his selfishness, and, for the interest of Old Yale, desired to see Merry back on the team.
Besides that, Ben was not pleased to be changed from full-back to quarter-back and have a fellow like Marline given the position he had played very well thus far that season. He felt that he had much rather be put off the eleven entirely to give room for Frank.
After Ben left, Frank attempted to return to his studies, but he could not fix his mind upon them. He went down to recitation in a dazed condition, and made a flunk, much to the surprise of those who knew he had turned into a "greasy grind" of late.
Frank's mind was uneasy, and it wandered constantly. The knowledge that he had been regarded as cowardly in declining to go on the eleven was gall and wormwood to him.
He was glad Halliday had come to him and let him know how matters stood, and surely no one could have closer at heart the welfare of Yale in all directions.
He began to understand that he had won a position in athletics from which he could not voluntarily withdraw without being misunderstood and maligned.
That afternoon Halliday came around for Frank, and found him with his sweater and rough clothes on, ready to leave his room.
"I was afraid you would forget," said Ben, in a confused way.
"Little danger of that!" muttered Frank. "I haven't been able to remember anything else but what you said to me this forenoon."
"Hope you didn't lay it up against me, Merry."