After all, Clapperton and Fullerton are two of our best men." "But what about the vacant place ?" "I've four or five names all better than Corder," said the captain, "but none of them as good as Brinkman." The company generally, it is to be feared, did not lament as honestly as Yorke did, the accident to their rival.

They did not profess to rejoice, of course; still they bore the blow with equanimity.
Next morning, to the astonishment of everybody, the notice board contained an abrupt announcement in the captain's hand, that in consequence of Brinkman's inability to play, Rollitt would take his place in the fifteen.
Yorke himself could not account for this sudden act of patriotism.
Rollitt, he said, had looked into his room last night at bedtime and said-- "I'll play on Saturday," and vanished.
Fisher minor was perhaps, of all persons, better able to explain the mystery than any one else.

He had overheard in Ranger's study a general lamentation about the prospects for Saturday, and a wish expressed by his brother that Rollitt were not so unsociable and undependable.
Everybody agreed it was utterly useless to ask him to play, and that they would have to get a second-rate man to fill the empty place, and so most probably lose the match.
Fisher minor heard all this, and when presently, on his way to his own den, he passed Rollitt's door, a tremendous resolution seized him to take upon himself the duty of ambassador extraordinary for the School.
Rollitt appeared to owe him no grudge for throwing stones the other day, and had already come to his relief handsomely at the time of the second election and in the affair with Dangle.

On the whole, Fisher minor thought he might venture.
Rollitt was reading hard by the light of one small candle when he entered.
"Please, Rollitt," said the boy, "would you ever mind playing for the School on Saturday ?" Rollitt looked up in such evident alarm that Fisher major put his hand on the latch of the door, and made ready to bolt.
"I'll see--get out," said Rollitt.
And Fisher minor did get out.
It was really too absurd to suppose that Rollitt was going to play in the fifteen to oblige Fisher minor.

So at least thought that young gentleman, and remained discreetly silent about his interview, hoping devoutly no one would hear of it.
The joy of the Classics was almost equal to the fury of the Moderns.
The latter could not deny that Rollitt was a host in himself, and worth a dozen Corders.