Mr. Stuart Harven,
Captain Manning School Football Team,
12 Lacey Hall.
Dear Sir:
At a meeting of the Committee on Athletics held this evening the following Resolution was passed:
“Whereas, in the judgment of this Committee, Captain Stuart Harven has shown himself unable or unwilling to act in coöperation with the Coach in the conduct of the affairs of the Football Team, which fact this Committee considers detrimental to the welfare of the Team, it is
“Resolved that Captain Stuart Harven be directed to appear before this Committee at eight o’clock on the evening of October 26 and show cause why his resignation as captain should not be requested for the good of the Team; and that a copy of this Resolution be delivered to Captain Stuart Harven.”
For the Committee on Athletics,
Chas. E. Dodge, Secretary.
CHAPTER VIII
A NEW LEADER IS CHOSEN
Amazement slowly gave way to anger. The thing was so unexpected that for a while he could not believe it, and the idea that it was a hoax presented itself. But that theory vanished speedily and he faced the truth. A sense of insult, of degradation mastered him and he crumpled the letter into a ball and hurled it to the floor. He passed a bad ten minutes, his wrath encompassing Coach Haynes and the whole Athletic Faculty. Of the latter, though, it was the student members, Jud McColl and Stearns Wilson, on whom his anger fell chiefly. They pretended to be his friends. He could find excuses for the coach, for the coach made no secret of his hostility, but McColl and Stearns had literally betrayed him.
Finally he rescued the letter and smoothed it out and reread it. It was plain enough, he told himself. They wanted him to go before them and eat humble pie, perhaps apologize to Haynes! What they did not want was his resignation. No matter if he had failed, from their point of view, as a captain, he was still invaluable as a player. There was no one to take his place at quarter. In spite of their bluff, they couldn’t do without him, and they knew it! And he knew it! Stuart laughed mirthlessly. Well, they’d see! If they expected penitence and apologies they’d be fooled! He’d call their bluff!