There's such a lot of jealousy over these things.

Best to get it all settled first.

Don't you think so ?" "Yes," said Dick, feeling a good deal bewildered, and doubtful whether after all he had not been foolish in undertaking so important a task.
He returned to his chum in an abstracted frame of mind.

He had certainly expected his achievement that afternoon would give him a "footing" in Templeton, but in his wildest dreams he had not supposed it would give him such a lift as this.
Whipper-in of the Templeton Harriers was rapid promotion for a new boy on his first day.

But then, he reflected, if they really were hard up for a fellow to take the office, it would be rather ungracious to refuse it.
"What did they want you for ?" asked Heathcote.
"Oh, talking about the race, don't you know, and that sort of thing," said Dick, equivocally.
"Did they say anything about me ?" "Not a word, old man." Whereat Heathcote turned a little crusty, and wondered that ten yards in a quarter of a mile should make such a difference.
Dick was bursting to tell him all about it, and made matters far worse by betraying that he had a secret, which he could on no account impart.
"You'll know to-morrow, most likely," said he.