Page:The secret play (1915).djvu/238

 *pectant silence ensued. Dick looked sober but quite untroubled. He began to speak in a quiet voice plainly heard all over the hall and in crisp, business-*like tones.

"Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen," began Dick, "I thank the last speaker for his expressions of good will. And I am very glad of this opportunity to say a few words. But if you expect me to make a defense of my methods you will be disappointed. Lewis outlined better than I could the events of this present football season. I was chosen, as he has told you, not because I had ever coached a team, not because I claimed that I could coach a team, but because there seemed no one else to fill the position. And I did hold off for awhile, not because I didn't want to do it, for I did, and not because I thought I couldn't do it, for I had a strong impression that I could. Lewis says that I must not be held to blame. I say that if there is any blame it's mine. I'm ready to accept it and"

Dick's friends and not a few of the opposition applauded warmly.

"And I want to accept it. But especially I want you to believe that the team is not at fault. We've