Page:Stanwood Pier--Harding of St Timothys.djvu/139

Rh "Thank you very much, Ormsby. I'll do the best I can. And—I hope you won't be laid up for long."

"I'll be out, I guess, to see what kind of an end you develop for the game with St. John's."

Herrick went away feeling an honest ambition, wishing to look on fellows with a kindlier eye. But it was pretty hard when he found them surly or suspicious, and knew that they were commenting on him as a "mucker," a dirty player, a mean, tricky cheat, who would stop at nothing.

He was grateful to Harry Harding, who stood by him, and to the other fellows in the Crown, who were still friendly; but he knew that throughout the school the sentiment toward him was that of Francis Stoddard, unforgiving and contemptuous.

Rupert sent a message to Frank Windsor, asking him to take charge of the candidates for the school eleven and act temporarily as captain; and accordingly Windsor posted a notice the next day, announcing the first practice.