He would sooner leave Willoughby altogether.

The boys either knew nothing about him, or they laughed at him for his clumsiness, or they suspected him as a coward, or they despised him as a prig.

He had wit enough to know what Willoughby thought of him, and that being so, how could he ever be its captain?
"I would much rather you named some one else," said he to the doctor at their interview next morning.

"I know quite well I couldn't get on." "You have not tried yet," said the doctor.
"But I've not the strength, and the boys don't like me," pleaded Riddell.
"You must make them like you, Riddell," said the doctor.
"How can I?
They will dislike me all the more if I am made captain.

I have no influence with them, indeed I have not." "How do you know ?" said the doctor again.