Page:Stanwood Pier--Harding of St Timothys.djvu/145

Rh for the eleven, Frank read a letter from Rupert, tendering his resignation and expressing the feeling that since he himself could not play, some one else should be chosen captain.

"When he told me this," Frank continued, "I did n't say anything except that I'd lay the matter before you fellows. But now I say that we all refuse to accept Ormsby's resignation. He can be our captain even if he can't stir from his room. He can advise us and help us, and I say that we tell him so and refuse to let him resign."

"Second the motion," said Joe Herrick, in his gruffest voice.

The refusal to accept Rupert's resignation was unanimous. Nat Belmont had to admit that it was generous of Windsor to have proposed this action, for if it had not been taken, he would undoubtedly have been elected Rupert's successor.

When Belmont reported Herrick's act in seconding the motion, Francis Stoddard had only a sneering comment: "Trying to square himself with the crowd."