“It’s plain where your sympathies lie!” exclaimed Hayden resentfully. “You’re ready and willing to take up for this fellow against me. You’ve brought him here to make him a member of the eleven. Go ahead, but let me repeat that I’ll never disgrace myself by playing on the same team with him.”
“Do you think that’s the proper spirit, Hayden? You know the team is decidedly weak in several spots. We’re particularly anxious to beat Wyndham this year, and in order to do so we’ve got to put our strongest team into the field. A fellow who is loyal to his school and his team puts aside personal prejudices and is ready for almost any sacrifice. If Stone becomes a member of the eleven you don’t have to accept him as a friend, and it’s not necessary that you should associate with him off the field. You’re unreasonably angry now, Bern, but if you’ll take time to cool off and think it over, I’m confident you’ll perceive the mistake you’re disposed to make.”
Hayden lifted his clenched fist in a passionate gesture. “I tell you, Eliot, you can’t ram him down my throat. You ought to know whether or not I’m of especial value to the team. If I was willing to try, I couldn’t play upon it and do myself justice with that fellow a member. You’ll have to choose between us.”
“I don’t wish to do anything of the sort. I’m captain of the team, and, even though I disliked Stone as bitterly as you do, I’d accept him as a member if I knew he would strengthen our forces.”
“Yes, you’re captain of the team,” sneered Bern, “and you’re trying to work for your own advantage; but let me inform you that if you persist in this course it will be to your decided disadvantage. You’ll find I’m not the only one who can’t swallow Stone. If you want harmony on the team—and that’s rather important—just send him scooting. He can’t play football, anyhow. He’s a big, lumbering, dull-witted creature who will be an incumbrance.”
“I can’t see how we can tell about that until he has been tried out.”
Again the indignant lad made that passionate gesture with his clenched fist. “Try him out then!” he snarled. “Have your own way and see what comes of it, but you’ll be sorry for your obstinacy.” With which he stepped past Roger and walked swiftly back through the dressing room, his dark face pale with pent-up exasperation.
“I say, Bern,” called Berlin Barker, “where are you going? Aren’t you going to stay for practice?”
“Not to-night,” Hayden flung over his shoulder, “nor any other night until Eliot comes to his senses.”