"Dink, I want to know your opinion. What do you think of Brockhurst, for instance?"
"Why, I think he rather keeps to himself. He strikes me as being--well, a little undeveloped--rather shy."
The question was put abruptly, Le Baron raising his eyes to get his answer from Stover's face.
"Schley?" said Dink, considering a little. "Why, Schley seems to--"
"He's proud as Lucifer--but he has more to him than any one I know."
"You are quite enthusiastic about him," said Le Baron, looking at him with a little quizzical surprise.
"Of course, the football captaincy will probably be between you two."
Stover had never thought of him as a rival for his dearest ambition. He remained silent, digesting the possibility, aware of Le Baron's searching inquiry.
"Of course, you have nine chances out of ten, but the race is a long one."
"He would make a good captain," Stover said slowly.
"I hadn't thought of it before," Stover said, with a sudden falling inside, "but he has the stuff in him of a leader all right."
"I wish he weren't quite so set," said Le Baron. "He hasn't made a particularly favorable impression on some of the fellows."
An involuntary smile came to Stover at the thought of Regan's probable reception of a committee of inspection.
"He doesn't perhaps realize the importance of some things," he said carefully.
"He doesn't," said Le Baron, who was not without a sense of humor. "It's a pity, though, for his sake. I wish you'd talk to him a little."
"By the way, what are you going out for this spring?"
"That doesn't make any difference. You learn the stroke quicker--no bad habits."
"Oh, I don't know--not for the freshman. We want to stimulate the interest in rowing up here. It's a good example for a man like you to come out. Ever done anything in baseball or the track?"
"Rowing's the stunt for you." He went toward the door, and turned. "Have a little chat with Regan. I admire the fellow, but he needs to rub up a bit with you fellows and get the sharp edges off him. By the way, when you start rowing I'll get hold of you and give you a little extra coaching."
When McCarthy came grinning through the door, he found Dink, his legs drawn up Turkish fashion, staring rebelliously at the ceiling.
"Hello! In love, or what?" said Tough, stopping short. "Recovering, perhaps, from the brilliant conversation?"