“Walks very slowly, something like a funeral march,” observed Hudson, with a gloomy shake of his head.
When Brier reached them he did not waste any words. He shook his head and spread out his hands with a gesture that told the whole story.
“Same as ever, boys,” he announced briefly. “Gates refuses to allow us to play Dimsdale.”
Barnes and Berry took off their helmets at the same moment and slammed them on the ground viciously. Hudson turned away, a lump in his throat. His last ambition, that of playing against Dimsdale, was frustrated, and the fact hurt. Growls came from the rest of the squad. Vench gritted his teeth and sneered at the narrow-minded attitude of the chief trustee. Only Don and Jim kept silent, and as they were new members on the football team the fact was not noticed.
“That means giving it up for at least another year, I suppose,” shrugged Rhodes.
“Maybe until Gates dies, I don’t know,” returned the coach.
“Blessings on him and all his money!” murmured Barnes, sarcastically.
After the customary lap around the field the boys went back to dress, annoyed and growling at the situation. It was not until they were in their own room that Don spoke his mind.
“Jim, I believe that there’s something more to this than we can see on the surface,” he said.
“What do you mean?” his brother asked.