“When you like,” answered Gus as they went out.
“What’s the row?” asked Joe Law anxiously. Gus told him.
“Well, it was a funny thing for you to do,” said Joe. “You might have known he and Ed wouldn’t like it.”
“I did know it and I didn’t care. I don’t care now. The only thing he can do is to fire me and that won’t bother me a bit.”
But the discipline meted out to him the next afternoon wasn’t just what he had looked for. When scrimmage time came Hopkins and Prentiss walked over to the Second Team.
“Gus,” said Hopkins, “I guess we can dispense with your services as captain after this.” Gus nodded, untroubled.
“Hover,” continued Hopkins, “you’re captain from now on.”
Hover, the left half, glanced at Gus and then at his feet. “I’d rather not, thanks, Hopkins,” he said.
Hopkins stared.