"I told them I wouldn't do it. They said if I didn't I'd get left. I told 'em that wouldn't hurt me very much, because I didn't care for playing anyway."
"I see," answered Dave, thoughtfully.
He at once sought out Roger, Phil, and Sam Day,—those who had loved to play football in the past, and who had hoped to be on the eleven the present season—and talked the matter over with them. Then the shipowner's son made a quiet canvass among all those interested in football.
"Plum is right," he declared later. "Frapley, aided by Nat Poole and his cronies, is going to carry matters with a high hand."
"It's an outrage!" cried Sam. "A stranger running the Oak Hall eleven! I shall protest!"
"It won't do any good—if Frapley gets the votes," answered Roger. "Especially if he is a good player, and they say he is."
The news that there was going to be a lively time drew a large crowd to the meeting in the gymnasium. This was called to order by the former manager of the eleven, and a call was issued for nominations for a new manager.
"I nominate John Rand!" cried Nat Poole, mentioning one of the students from Laverport.
"Second the nomination!" added Guy Frapley, promptly.
"I nominate Henry Fordham," said Roger, putting up one of the old students, who did not play, but who was a good general manager, and a youth well liked by his classmates.