Page:The secret play (1915).djvu/82

 "You'd look fine!" declared Lanny. "And you could do it!"

"Perhaps," laughed Gordon, "you could follow the team in Eli!"

Dick smiled, and then asked: "There's no money in this, is there?"

"I'm afraid not," replied Lanny. "The Committee"

"That's the way I'd want it. I wouldn't dare take any money for doing it, fellows. If I made a mess of it I'd feel bad enough if I was doing it for nothing, but if I was getting paid for it I'd feel as if I'd cheated you. Now, one more thing, Lanny. If I do—er—coach, it's got to be understood that I am coach."

"You mean that"

"That I'm in authority. That what I say goes. It may sound cheeky, considering that I'm a green-*horn, but it's the only way for me to have any show at making good."

"That's all right, Dick. You say the word and you're It from this moment. And if the way I play doesn't suit you you can put me on the bench to-morrow. Is it a bargain?"

"Fellows, I'm an awful fool, I suppose, but—" he paused again.