"Riddell's bound to show that he's not up to his work sooner or later, and I won't interfere to prevent it." "Meanwhile," said Game, who of all the malcontents was the most honest, "what's to become of Willoughby?
We must keep some sort of order, whoever is captain." "Why, whatever authority can we have when the most we can do is to report fellows to that milksop ?" said Tipper.
"I'll tell you what," said Ashley, "if we're compelled to _call_ Riddell captain, there's nothing to prevent us considering another fellow so." "What do you mean ?" asked some one.
"He means," said Game, "and it's not half a bad idea, that if Bloomfield will help us to keep order, we can consider him captain whether he's called so or not.

If once the fellows know they'll get reported to him, we shall have some sort of authority." "Of course," said Bloomfield, who had not yet spoken, "I'll do my best to keep order and all that; but as I'm not captain, it's no use to pretend being it." "Oh, we'll see about that," said Ashley.

"If you choose to work for the school after what has happened, all I can say is you deserve to be backed up, and I'll back you up for one." "So will I," said Wibberly.
Bloomfield could not resist flattery.

As soon as it was represented to him that the hope of Willoughby centred in him, and that he was acting a beautiful and Christian part in still taking an interest in its welfare after the way he had been treated, he felt as if he really ought to meet his admirers half-way.
"Already a lot of the kids consider you as captain," said Game.

"Didn't you hear a boatful of them cheering you yesterday ?" "Yes," said Bloomfield, "I heard that." "Very well, they're much more likely to keep order for you than for that other fellow.