"You are making reckless talk, just because you are badly excited, old
man! I am sure you will be sorry as soon as you cool off. If I didn't
think so, I'd say some things that would be hot enough to take the skin
off your face! Now, listen here! I have promised Dunstan Kirk to let
Badger pitch next Saturday in that game against Hartford. Kirk thinks it
will brace Badger up a little, and perhaps it will. I am willing to help
Badger. He can pitch. We need good pitchers. Besides, I have given Kirk
my promise. I mean to keep it."
Up to that moment, angry and unreasonable as he was, Bart had
half-believed that Merriwell might yet back out of his position, and
refuse to let Buck go into the box. He saw now how mistaken he had been.
"And you expect me to catch for that scoundrel?" he demanded, shaking
with rage. "I tell you, Merriwell, I won't do it! I'll do any reasonable
thing you want me to do, but I won't do that! I draw the line there,
short and sharp! I won't play in a nine with Buck Badger!"
"Very well, then, we'll have to get along without you!"
"Do you mean it, Merry?" Hodge gasped. "Do you mean that you will choose
him before me?"
"Nothing of the kind, and you ought to know it. You would know it, if
you were not just blind with anger and prejudice.
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