Page:The spirit of the leader (IA spiritofleader00heyl).pdf/39

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seeking to select a leader, passed him by with slight consideration!

He had been bitter at Praska, but that was passing. Praska had been looking ahead. The football guard had been thinking of something bigger than merely pleasing a friend. Secretly Perry had often viewed himself as a brainier chap than the plodding guard; he had even been a little contemptuous as those of his character are apt to be. Now in his chastened mood, he saw that Praska's slow mind moved irresistibly to logical conclusions. Praska was a thinker. Perry felt cheap and insignificant.

However, an awakening was upon him. Mr. Banning, during that short talk in the home room, had opened his mind to many things. Whether or not he was to become a leader of Room 13, it came to him that he owed it to himself, to his school, to be something more than a humbugging jester. His dream of the managership of the football team was gone. He put it from him with a sigh. In the void it left came a resolution to play a part that never again would cause any one to distrust his capabilities because of foolish things he had done.

There had been an understanding in Northfield that the football team would announce the selection of its manager next morning. But no