“Oh!” said Hopkins uneasily.
“A good idea,” was Prentiss’ fling. “Perhaps you’ll join the sore-heads.”
“Perhaps. Anyway, I’m done with you chaps.” And he turned on his heel and went out, leaving Hopkins looking a trifle blank.
“I don’t like that,” said the captain.
“Pshaw!” responded Prentiss. “He won’t be missed.”
“No, perhaps not, although he is a mighty good player, Ed, and you know that. But suppose he makes a row and gets some of the others to go with him?”
Prentiss considered the possibility for a moment in scowling silence. At last:
“We’ve got to do something, Hop,” he announced. “Look here, why not see what can be done with Langton? They say he played a wonderful game at half yesterday, and we could use another half on the First.”
“I don’t believe he’d come,” said Hopkins.
“I’ll bet he will, though. He’s always wanted to make the team. Why, what do you suppose he started these Independents for, you idiot? He thought you’d buy him off, of course!”