I am not choosing
Badger in preference to any of my friends!"
"Why aren't you?"
"Because I am not. There is no choosing of friends in this. I have said
Badger shall pitch in that game. That does not make him my friend, and
it ought not to drive any of my friends away. I am manager of the picked
nine, and I supposed that my friends who had known me so long would be
willing that I should have some privileges."
"But when I declare I won't catch?"
"You have no right to make any such declaration."
"Why haven't I?"
"Simply because, as my friend, you ought to be willing to aid me in this
matter. I shall not put it on any other ground."
"I'll do anything for you, Merry, but that. I can't do that!"
"You mean you will not do it!"
"I won't do it!"
"Then I shall get another catcher!"
"Do you mean it?"
"I mean it!"
Hodge seemed stunned for a moment. Then his rage boiled over.
"All right, Merry!" he flashed. "If you want to favor a scoundrel like
Badger instead of me, you can do it. But I will not catch in that game.
I refuse to play on any nine with Badger! I----"
"I remember to have heard you say those things before!" said Frank,
turning short about. "We will not discuss it any further, Bart. You are
a free man. You may do as you please.
Pages:
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33