Hopkins looked uneasy, but Rob’s face was blankly innocent.
“They don’t know what they’re talking about,” said the captain with a fine show of indignation. “I tell you, Rob, it’s no snap being captain and coach and everything. You know something about it yourself, I guess, don’t you?”
Rob nodded emphatically. “It’s no cinch,” he granted. “Now as to what you suggest, Hop; the principal trouble is here. You see I’ve made that team up and I don’t want to disappoint the fellows. Of course, they might get on without me for awhile, but—you know how it is when—”
“Yes, but it doesn’t seem to me that it would matter much if the team disbanded after awhile, Rob.”
“N—no, but I don’t like to leave the fellows in the lurch. Besides, I don’t know what they’d say.”
[“‘THEN THAT’S SETTLED, EH?’ ASKED HOPKINS BEAMINGLY.”]
“They couldn’t say anything,” said Hopkins heartily. “And, look here, we can use two or three or maybe more good men. Of course I couldn’t promise them regular positions on the First, but they’d be certain of getting their letters and I’d put them with the subs and use them whenever I could. In fact, Rob, Prentiss and I had already spoken of two or three of your fellows we could find places for.”