“I don’t see how you induced him to play on a team where some one else is to be captain.” “Oh, that wasn’t difficult. I think Onslaw’s a very decent and modest chap.” “You don’t know him!” “It seems that you don’t like Onslaw.” “Not much, for I know he’s full of wind. He was dreadfully puffed up because Harvard happened to win from us. You know I was hurt in the game and did not play during most of the second half.” Hodge shrugged his shoulders and his lip curled the least bit. He detected the conceit in Fillmore. “I know about that. It was very unfortunate,” said Merry. “Of course I’m not saying we’d won if I hadn’t been hurt, but we had the lead when that happened. I think Onslaw was glad to see me go out of the game.” “He didn’t appear to me like a malicious chap.” “Oh, I presume he’s smooth enough. Sorry he’ll not be with Harvard next year. I’d like to get against him again.” “Possibly you will. We’ll give you a game right after the close of college, as soon as you like. I’d like to make arrangements for the game while in Baltimore. Of course, it’s possible your team will not play us, but we’re very anxious, and you shall have our first game together, if you’ll take it.” “Why, I wouldn’t be surprised if it might be fixed that way. Are you going to challenge us?” “Hadn’t thought of making it a challenge. Just fancied we might arrange a meeting, that’s all. Still, if you think we’d better make it a challenge——” “I don’t suppose it will make any difference. How long will you remain in the city?” “Until the day after to-morrow.” “Well, I’ll introduce you to our manager to-morrow, and you can see what you can do. I’ll urge him to make the game with you.” “Do! Who’s your coach, Abercrombie?” “He’s one of them.” “Good man. No one in this country knows more about the game.” “Who’ll coach your team?” “We’re going to have a Canadian.” “Oh!” exclaimed Fillmore. “You’re going in for the real thing! Some day we’ll put it all over those Canucks!” “Perhaps so,” admitted Frank; “but, to tell you the truth, I fear the players of this country will have to improve faster than they have to get away with the Canadians. We can trounce them at baseball; but at lacrosse and ice hockey they are going to keep the lead for some time.” “Don’t you believe it!” cried the Hopkins captain. “Their day is coming right soon. I’ll admit that they still outrank us, but the sport is comparatively new with us. We have not given it enough attention, and it hasn’t become popular with the public. It deserves to become popular.” “It will,” asserted Frank. “When people begin to realize what a pretty game it is they’ll take to it. The public has to be educated up to a thing like that. Lacrosse has hardly any of the dangerous elements of football, yet it is exciting, and the open playing permits spectators to see almost constantly everything that is taking place. There is no more graceful game played.” “Why, you’re a real enthusiast!” said Fillmore.