"I doubt much if Badger will accept the offer," said Frank.
"I shall take the offer to him, anyway. I believe it will brighten him to receive it, even if he refuses it. That desire for popularity which you mentioned will, I think, make him accept. He may tell himself and all his friends that he doesn't care for your opinion, but he does, just the same! He can't help caring for the opinion of any man who is a gentleman. I shall approach him carefully!"
CHAPTER II.
HOW THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED.
"Huah!" grunted Browning, opening his eyes a trifle in surprise, "don't that jar you?"
"What will Bart say?" gasped Rattleton.
"Merriwell doesn't have to take his orders from Hodge!" snapped Diamond. "But, just the same, I think it's a fool sort of agreement!"
Merriwell was in his room talking to some of his friends of the request of the baseball-captain.
"Hodge will be cot under the holler!" sputtered Rattleton.