human
So I am dropped, am I? he said, bitterly.
gpt
Well, I rather think I understand how it comes about.
human
What do you mean?
gpt
Never mind, returned Walter, with a toss of his head.
human
It's no use to talk it over, but I know a few things.
gpt
See here, said the sturdy manager of the freshman ball team and crew,
human
I want to know just what you mean, Gordon.
gpt
Oh, you do?
human
Yes, sir, I do! You talk as if you had not been treated right.
gpt
Have I?
human
I think you have, sir.
gpt
I know I have not!
human
You must prove that, Gordon!
gpt
I can.
human
Do so.
gpt
I may not prove it to your satisfaction, but I can prove it just as hard. You have told me that I am in fine form, and I know that you have said I have as fine back and shoulders as may be found in the whole college.
human
I did say that,
gpt
Well, that counts for something.
human
But it does not make you suitable for the crew. There is something more needed, as you should know. You must be able to row.
gpt
Is there a man on the crew who pulls a prettier stroke than I? Just answer me that, Burn Putnam?
human
You do pull a pretty stroke, but I have been convinced that the men on the crew now will hold out, and it is not best to take you in place of any of them.
gpt
Who convinced you? I know! It was Merriwell! He is holding Rattleton on the crew simply because they are chums, and you are letting him twist you around his finger! Ha! ha! ha!
human
You are insolent, Gordon! he said.
gpt
This is an open insult!
human
Is it? Well, I notice you do not deny that Merriwell has held Rattleton on the crew in my place.
gpt
I deny that he has held any one on the crew that is not fully capable of remaining there on his own merit.
human
That sounds first rate! Oh, well, I don't care, anyway! Your crew is bound to make a show of itself, and it will be beaten hands down by the sophs.
gpt
So that is the opinion you hold, is it?
human
It is.
gpt
And I suppose you have held it all along?
human
I have.
gpt
Then I have made no mistake in dropping you from the crew. You have quite satisfied me on that point, Gordon. No man is suitable to hold a place on any kind of a crew or team if he holds it in contempt and has no confidence in it. He will not work, and his feeling of contempt will communicate itself to others, thus demoralizing the whole lot of them. Even if he kept his contempt to himself, he is not the man to work his heart out in the effort to win. He thinks it is no use to kill himself, and he will not make his best effort at any time. It is my policy to drop such a man, in case I find him out, and drop him hard. Yes, I am quite satisfied, Gordon.
human
All right! all right! he said, his voice unsteady.
gpt
I am glad you are satisfied! But wait till the race is over. Rattleton's glory will be gone then. Don't think that he will pull his heart out. A man who smokes as much as he does can't pull.
human
Smokes! Rattleton does not smoke at all. I observed him at the turkey roast. He absolutely refused to smoke.
gpt
Because you were present; but I know for a fact that he smokes behind your back, and he smokes almost constantly.
human
I cannot believe it. Merriwell would tell me.
gpt
Would he? Ha! ha! ha! You don't know Frank Merriwell yet, but you will find him out. That fellow will go to any extreme to injure me, and so it is not likely he would tell anything on his chum that would cause you to give me his place.
human
I am sure you do Merriwell an injustice. He is a man who does not smoke himself, and he would not allow his roommate to injure himself smoking. However, I will find out about this.
gpt
Do so; but I have found out about it already. I have certain means of obtaining information.
human
So have the sophs, and they have obtained a great deal,
gpt
I know you will tell me the truth, Merry, said Burnham,
human
Some one has been telling you he is smoking?
gpt
Yes.
human
Well, he is not smoking now. I had a talk with him and he swore off. He is not touching tobacco in any form, and I give you my word on that.
gpt
That's all I want,