“I was just saying,” replied Larry, somewhat taken aback by the manner of the big, loose-jointed student, “that it is no use for me to try for any team. Baldwin has told some yarn about me and has prejudiced them against me.”
“Imagination, plus enlarged ego,” commented Lattiser. “Baldwin says something, you make a fool of yourself and add evidence to his charge. You brood until you think everyone is against you. You kick because a small faction is unjust and accuse everyone.”
“Anyhow,” argued Larry, “he makes it impossible for me to get a chance. Baldwin seems to run athletics, and I’m not foolish enough to give him a chance to order me off the field.”
“You have the interests of the school at heart, I suppose?” inquired Lattiser quietly. “Or your own ambitions?”
“I didn’t intend to try for the team at all,” protested Larry, hurt by the insinuation.
“If you did not want to play,” retorted Lattiser, in his quiet drawl, “you wouldn’t care. If you had the interest of the school in mind, you would overlook any slight placed upon you, for the sake of the college.”
“I’m perfectly willing to sacrifice myself,” mumbled Larry, sulkily. “All I want is a chance.”
“You have a chance,” said Lattiser. “If you youngsters want to do something for this school, there is a big chance. You organize a class team, and develop players who can be ready to play for the college at any time.”
He arose, lighted his pipe, and smiled at their expressions.
“If conditions are as you say,” he said easily, “they cannot last—and you’ll be ready.”