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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2f2906f --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #63892 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/63892) diff --git a/old/63892-0.txt b/old/63892-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 1e4edc8..0000000 --- a/old/63892-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7563 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Fourth Down!, by Ralph Henry Barbour - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this ebook. - -Title: Fourth Down! - -Author: Ralph Henry Barbour - -Release Date: December 05, 2020 [EBook #63892] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team - at https://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOURTH DOWN! *** - - - - - FOURTH DOWN - - - - -[Illustration: IN THE VERY CENTER OF IT, PLUNGING, FIGHTING, WAS HEMING] - - - - - FOURTH DOWN! - - - BY - RALPH HENRY BARBOUR - - AUTHOR OF “THE PLAY THAT WON,” - “THE LOST DIRIGIBLE,” ETC. - - - [Illustration] - - - D. APPLETON AND COMPANY - NEW YORK LONDON - 1920 - - - - - COPYRIGHT, 1920, BY - D. APPLETON AND COMPANY - - - PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - I. BACK TO SCHOOL 1 - II. NEW QUARTERS 15 - III. SID OFFERS ADVICE 25 - IV. G. W. TUBB 37 - V. WITH THE SECOND 46 - VI. SIGNALS 57 - VII. TOBY MAKES A CALL 67 - VIII. TUBB TRIES FOOTBALL 79 - IX. YARDLEY PLAYS GREENBURG 94 - X. TOBY EMPTIES HIS LOCKER 105 - XI. TOM FANNING, OPTIMIST 117 - XII. FIRST TEAM VS. SECOND 136 - XIII. TEAM-MATES FALL OUT 146 - XIV. TOBY AT QUARTER 156 - XV. THE “TOUGH BUNCH” 169 - XVI. TUBB WINS PROMOTION 189 - XVII. AN “ACCIDENT” 201 - XVIII. A QUARTER-BACK RUN 218 - XIX. ARNOLD HAS A THOUGHT 231 - XX. AN ENCOUNTER ON THE BEACH 241 - XXI. TUBB BARKS A KNUCKLE 255 - XXII. A VISIT TO THE OFFICE 269 - XXIII. TUBB ON THE TRAIL 283 - XXIV. FRICK IS CALLED AWAY 294 - XXV. FOURTH DOWN 305 - - - - -FOURTH DOWN - - - - -CHAPTER I - -BACK TO SCHOOL - - -“We ought to be there in about twenty minutes,” observed Arnold -Deering, glancing at his watch. - -One of his companions in the day-coach tossed the magazine he had been -idly glancing through, to the top of the pile of suitcases beside him, -yawned widely, and nodded without enthusiasm. - -“If nothing happens,” he agreed. - -“What’s going to happen, you chump?” - -“Nothing, I suppose. Only, something might. There might be an -earthquake, or the train might jump the track, or――――” - -“Or you might talk sense, Frank! As for jumping the track, this old -train couldn’t jump a crack in the floor! I guess you’re wishing -something would happen so you wouldn’t have to go back.” - -“Oh, I don’t know,” Frank Lamson answered doubtfully. “I guess I don’t -mind――much. School’s all right after a day or two. It’s getting into -the swing, just at first, that’s hard.” - -“In the interest of education,” proclaimed Arnold pompously, “I move -that summer vacations be abolished.” - -“Put it the other way around,” said Frank, “and I’ll second the motion. -Joking aside, though, summer vacations are fine, but they certainly -spoil a chap for hard work.” He shook his head dolefully. He was a -heavily-built youth of seventeen, but the heaviness was that of bone -and sinew rather than of fat. With regular features, dark hair and eyes -and a healthy skin, he was undeniably good-looking, although the mouth -somehow suggested a sort of lazy arrogance and led an observer to the -conclusion that he was not invariably as amiable as at present. He was -almost painfully correct as to attire. - -“Work!” sighed Arnold. “Why introduce unpleasant subjects? Ever since -I struck Yardley fellows have dinned it into me that this year is the -toughest of all. ‘If you think Third Class is hard,’ they said, ‘just -wait till you’re in Second!’ It doesn’t sound good to me, Frank!” - -“Piffle! Fellows always talk that way. Even First Class fellows shake -their heads and tell you they’re the hardest worked bunch in school, -and any one with a grain of sense knows that the last year’s a perfect -cinch. Anyway, you don’t need to worry. You’re starting clean. I’ve got -a condition to work off, worse luck. I’m the one who ought to be sore.” - -“Too bad,” said Arnold sympathetically. “Still, ‘Old Tige’s’ bark is -worse than his bite, Frank. You’ll get clear all right.” - -“Hope so.” Frank leaned across the piled-up luggage to look through the -window. A fleeting glimpse of the sun-flecked surface of Long Island -Sound met his vision, and he frowned, mentally contrasting the lazy, -frolic-filled days of the passing summer with the duties drawing nearer -every minute. “Light House Point,” he said, nodding. “Greenburg in ten -minutes.” - -“If nothing happens,” quoted Arnold, with a smile. Like the boy -opposite him, he was seventeen years of age, and, like him, too, he -was extremely well-dressed. But in Arnold Deering’s case the attire -appeared to stop short of effort, or it may have been that he was less -conscious of it. While it is fair to call Frank good-looking it is no -exaggeration to say that Arnold was handsome. A straight nose under -a broad forehead, deep brown eyes, a mouth showing good-temper, and a -round chin, all went to make up a countenance extremely attractive. -He wore his dark brown hair brushed straight back, a style that went -well both with his face and with his height and slenderness. There -was nothing effeminate about him, though. He was not what fellows -contemptuously call a “pretty boy” and his slim frame was well-muscled -and suggested the best of physical condition. - -“Don’t think I’d mind if something did happen,” answered Frank, rather -disconsolately, “so long as it put off the evil day.” - -“Cheer up, old thing!” laughed Arnold. “To-morrow you’ll be as gay as a -lark, won’t he, Toby?” - -The third member of the party, who, next the window, had been occupied -with a magazine for the last half-hour, turned a pair of very blue eyes -toward the speaker and smiled. Although he had been following the story -closely, the conversation of his companions had not been entirely lost -to him, and Arnold’s question had reached him between the last word on -page 19 and the continuation on an elusive page 134. “I’d never expect -to see Frank as gay as a lark,” he replied readily. “If you had said -as happy as a seagull, though――――” He returned to the search for page -134. - -“Seagull?” protested Arnold. “The silly things never _are_ happy! -They’re always crying and making a fuss.” - -“Oh, they’re happy enough,” said the other, with a twinkle in his eyes, -“but they don’t want to think so!” - -Arnold laughed and Frank said, “You go to the dickens, Toby,” but -grinned a little as he said it. There had been a time when he would -have taken Toby Tucker’s jest not so amiably, but closer intimacy with -that youth had rendered his dignity less tender. - -“Toby’s got you sized up, Frank,” laughed Arnold. “You do like to -grouch a bit, you know.” - -“We all do, at times,” said Toby, comfortingly. He found the page he -was seeking and settled back again. But Arnold plucked the magazine -from his hands and tossed it to the opposite seat. - -“We’re nearly in Greenburg, T. Tucker,” he said. “Sit up like a -gentleman and talk to us.” - -Toby looked reproachfully at his friend and regretfully at the -magazine. Then he smiled. He had rather a remarkable smile, had Toby. -It made you forget that his nose was too short, his chin almost -aggressively square, his tanned face too liberally freckled, his hair -undeniably red. It made him almost good-looking and eminently likable. -Tobias Tucker’s smile was a valuable asset to him, although he didn’t -know it. - -“What shall I talk about?” he asked. “Want me to tell you a dreadfully -funny story?” - -“What’s it about?” demanded Arnold, suspiciously. - -“About old Cap’n Gaines,” replied Toby, innocently. “He――――” - -“_Help!_” cried the others with unflattering unanimity. - -“If you ever try to tell that again, Toby,” added Arnold, very stern -and very solemn, “we’ll――――” - -But what was to happen in such an event was never told, for what -happened at that moment very effectually ended Arnold’s discourse. -There was a terrific grinding of brakes, a loud hissing sound, and an -irresistible tendency on the part of every one and everything in the -day-coach to proceed hurriedly to the front door. Because of various -obstructions none succeeded, but all did their best. Arnold landed in -Frank’s lap and Toby draped himself over the piled-up luggage, his -head hanging over the back of the seat ahead. A cloud of unsuspected -dust filled the car as, with a series of emphatic and uncomfortable -jerks, the train came to a standstill. To the accompaniment of a vocal -confusion of cries, exclamations, and grunts, the occupants of the car -disentangled themselves from each other or picked themselves from the -floor. - -“Get――off――me!” groaned Frank. “You’ve――broken――my neck!” - -“What was it?” gasped Arnold, relieving the other of his unwelcome -embrace. “Are we wrecked?” - -“I am, anyway!” growled Frank. “Where’s my hat? Oh, thanks!” He -accepted it from a dazed occupant of the seat ahead. Toby Tucker -retired from his graceful position atop the suitcases and observed -Arnold questioningly, his straw hat tilted down to the bridge of his -nose. Arnold chuckled. “Guess it was Frank’s earthquake,” he said. - -“Keep your places!” admonished a trainman, putting his head in the -forward door. “Obstruction on the track! No danger!” - -“Gee!” muttered Toby. “That was some stop, fellows!” - -“It sure was!” agreed Frank emphatically, feeling doubtfully of his -neck. “It nearly snapped my head off! And then Arn landed on me like a -ton of bricks.” - -“Let’s go see,” said Toby. “What’s this?” He raised a foot from which -dangled Arnold’s hat. “I’m sorry. Sort of mussed, I’m afraid.” - -Arnold took it, viewed it ruefully and put it on. “It’s all Frank’s -fault,” he grumbled as he joined the exodus through the nearer door. -“He insisted that something was going to happen, and it did!” - -How near that something had come to being a catastrophe was revealed -to them when they pushed their way through the throng at the head of -the train. Not eighty feet distant from the pilot of the throbbing -locomotive stood a lone box-car, its forward truck lodged against its -rear. It was loaded and sealed and marked “Greenburg.” A curve in the -track behind had hidden it from the fireman’s sight until there had -remained just space in which to avert a collision. - -“How do you suppose it got here?” asked Frank. - -“Front truck got loose and the car broke its coupling, so they say,” -volunteered a boy beside him. - -“Hello, Billy,” greeted Frank. “You on the train? I didn’t see you. I -suppose this will hold us up awhile, eh?” - -“I thought they always had a caboose on the tail-end of a freight,” -objected Arnold. - -“I believe they do,” agreed Billy Temple, “but this car and some more -were on a siding about a mile back and they were sort of switching ’em -into the Greenburg yard. Hello, Tucker. What car were you fellows in?” - -“Fourth, I guess,” answered Arnold. “If it hadn’t been for Frank, -though, I’d have landed in the first when we stopped! Felt as if my -spine was being pushed right through to the front of me!” - -“Me too,” chuckled Temple. “There was an old codger in my car with -a basket of eggs. He got on at that last stop we made. There wasn’t -much room, so he kept the eggs in his lap. Then Mr. Engineer put the -airbrakes on and――Bingo!” - -“What happened?” demanded Arnold delightedly. - -“Why, the old gentleman and the eggs went on top of a fat man in front. -Talk about your omelets! Oh, boy!” - -“Let’s go back and sit down,” suggested Toby when Temple’s narrative -had been properly appreciated. “It’s too hot out here. And I suppose we -won’t get started again for an hour.” - -“More like two,” grumbled Frank. “They’ll have to send a wrecking -train and lift that car out of the way. Rotten luck!” - -“Hark to the plaintive wail of the seagull,” murmured Toby. - -“That’s right, Frank,” Arnold chuckled. “Ten minutes ago you wanted -something to happen to keep you from getting to Yardley, and now――――” - -“That’s all right,” answered Frank haughtily, “but it’s nearly four, -and supper’s at six.” - -“True, O Solomon! I get your viewpoint. There is much in what you say. -Still, if we get moving again in an hour or so――――” - -“We might walk, if it wasn’t for the bags,” mused Toby. “It can’t be -more than eight or nine miles.” - -“Eight or nine miles!” moaned Arnold. “And on an empty stomach!” - -“We-ell, I meant on the railroad,” said Toby demurely, “but if you -prefer――――” - -“Wish we had a pack of cards,” said Frank gloomily as they returned -to their car. “We might have a three-handed game of something. Or get -Billy Temple in here.” - -“I’m going to finish that story I was reading,” said Toby. “You two -play.” - -“Well, if we can find some cards,” began Arnold, leading the way to -their seats. Then: “What’s the matter with the chap over there, Toby? -Nose-bleed?” he asked. - -Toby, following his friend’s gaze, saw a pale-faced, large-eyed boy of -perhaps fifteen holding a crimson-stained handkerchief to his face. -“Guess so,” said Toby. “Maybe he got bumped. Wonder if he knows how to -stop it?” - -“Do you?” Arnold asked, pushing by to his seat. - -“Yes, I know four or five ways. Guess I’ll ask him.” - -He left the others and walked back three seats to where the boy was -hunched somewhat disconsolately beside an open window. He was a -surprisingly unattractive chap, Toby thought, but maybe he couldn’t -help that unwholesome white complexion. But he could help, Toby told -himself a moment later, that very soiled collar he was wearing! - -“Nose-bleed?” asked Toby smilingly. - -The boy shook his head, looking up over the stained handkerchief with -an expression of sullen suspicion in his staring brown eyes. - -“What’s the trouble then?” Toby took the vacant seat. “Let me have a -look, won’t you?” - -After a second of hesitation the boy removed the handkerchief, -revealing a short but deep cut on his upper lip. It was bleeding -profusely. Toby clucked sympathetically. “How’d you get it?” he asked. - -“I was getting a drink back there,” muttered the boy, “when the train -stopped. It threw me against the arm of a seat, I guess. Anyway, first -thing I knew I was on the floor.” His tone was resentful and his look -seemed to hold Toby to blame for the accident. - -“Too bad,” said the latter kindly. “Got another handkerchief with you?” -The boy shook his head. “I’ll lend you one, then. I’ll get it and wash -the cut well. You step back to the water tank.” - -Toby returned to his seat and dragged his suitcase from the pile. -“Fellow’s got a nasty cut on his lip,” he explained. “Fell down when -the train slowed up and hit on something.” - -“What are you going to do?” inquired Frank. “Operate on him?” - -“Find a handkerchief for him.” - -“Who is he? One of our chaps?” asked Arnold. - -“I don’t know. He may be. Doesn’t look it. Get your enormous feet out -of the way. I’ll be back in a sec.” - -“If you want any one to administer the ether――――” suggested Frank. - -Toby laughed and joined his patient by the rear door. There he gave -the wound a thorough washing, while the boy scowled and grunted. Then, -seeing that the sides of the cut ought to be brought together, he left -the other with a folded handkerchief pressed to the wound and made -his way forward to the baggage car. When he returned he had a roll of -surgeon’s tape and a wad of absorbent cotton. The boy protested in -his sullen way against further repairs, but Toby overruled him. “You -don’t want a nasty scar there,” he said cheerfully. “You hold this -cotton there until I get the tape ready. That’s it. All right now. Hold -steady, now. I’m not hurting you. There! Now we’ll roll this cotton in -the handkerchief and you can stop the blood with it. I don’t think it -will bleed much longer. Have you got far to go?” - -“Wissining,” muttered the boy. - -“Oh, do you live in Wissining?” - -“No, I’m going to school there,” answered the other resentfully. “I -thought maybe you were, too.” - -“Why, yes, I am. You must be a new boy then.” - -The other nodded. “I’ve never seen the rotten place,” he said. - -“Really?” asked Toby rather coldly. “Well, I hope you’ll like it better -than you think.” - -The boy stared back in his sullen fashion. “Shan’t,” he muttered. Toby -shrugged. - -“That’s up to you, I guess.” He nodded curtly and moved away, feeling -relieved at the parting. But the boy stopped his steps. - -“Say, what’ll I do with this handkerchief?” he asked. - -“Oh, throw it away, please,” said Toby. - -If he had done so this story might have been different. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -NEW QUARTERS - - -At eight o’clock that evening, having reached Wissining only a little -more than an hour late and done full justice to supper, Toby and -Arnold were busily unpacking and setting things to rights in Number 12 -Whitson, which, as those who know Yardley Hall School will remember, is -the granite dormitory building facing southward, flanked on the west by -the equally venerable Oxford Hall and on the east by the more modern -Clarke. There were those who liked the old-time atmosphere of Whitson; -its wooden stairways, its low ceilings, its deep window embrasures and -wide seats; who even forgave many a lack of convenience for the sake -of the somewhat dingy home-likeness. Perhaps, too, they liked to feel -themselves heirs to the legends and associations that clustered about -the building. On the other hand, there were scoffers dwelling more -luxuriously in Clarke or Dudley or Merle who declared that the true -reason for Whitson’s popularity was that the dining hall, known at -Yardley as Commons, occupied the lower floor and that fellows living in -the building consequently enjoyed an advantage over those dwelling in -the other dormitories. - -Not all the Whitson rooms were desirable, however. On the third floor, -for instance, was one that Toby, when he looked about the comparative -grandeur of Number 12, remembered without regrets. He had passed last -year under its sloping roof in an atmosphere of benzine and cooking. -The benzine odor was due to the fact that he had conducted a fairly -remunerative business in cleaning and pressing clothes, the smell of -cooking to the fact that the room’s one window was directly above the -basement kitchen. This year the atmosphere promised to be sweeter, for -Number 12 was on the front of the building, away from the kitchen, and -Toby had retired from business. - -There were moments when he viewed his retirement with alarm, for, -although his father had assured him that sufficient money would be -forthcoming to meet expenses if Toby managed carefully, he couldn’t -quite forget that, should anything interrupt the prosperity of the -boat-building business at home, there would be nothing to fall back -on. But Arnold had made the abandoning of the cleaning and pressing -industry a condition of his invitation to a share of Number 12. -“Homer’s not coming back, Toby,” he had announced in August. (Homer -Wilkins had been Arnold’s roommate the preceding year.) “I wish you’d -come down to Number 12 with me. It won’t cost you much more than that -cell up in Poverty Row; and that’s an awful dive, anyway. Of course, -you can’t go on with that beastly, smelly clothes-cleaning stunt, but -you weren’t going to anyway, were you? I mean, since your father’s -business has picked up so this spring and summer you won’t have to, eh?” - -Frankly, Toby had fully intended to. Being even partly self-supporting -gives one a feeling of independence that one hates to lose. But Toby -said nothing of that. He thought it over and, because he was very fond -of Arnold, as Arnold was of him, and because Number 22 had been pretty -bad at times, he yielded. This evening he was very glad that he had, -as, pausing with a crumpled pair of trousers in his hand midway between -his battered trunk and his closet, he viewed again the quiet comfort -of the big square room. Wilkins had removed a few things, but they -were not missed, and Arnold’s folks were sending down another chair -and a small bookcase from New York for Toby’s use. A fellow ought, -he reflected, to be very happy in such a place; and he felt renewed -gratitude to Arnold for choosing him to share its comforts. Arnold -might easily have picked one of several fellows as a roommate without -surprising Toby: Frank, for instance. Arnold had known Frank longer -than he had known Toby. Reflecting in such fashion, Toby remained -immovable so long that Arnold, who had for the moment abandoned more -important business to put together a new loose-leaf notebook under the -mellow glow of the droplight on the big table, looked across curiously. - -“What’s your difficulty, T. Tucker?” he asked. “Gone to sleep on your -feet? Reaction, I suppose, after the near-trainwreck!” - -“I was just thinking,” answered Toby slowly, “that this is an awfully -jolly room and that it was mighty good of you to let me come in with -you.” - -“Well, the room’s all right. (How in the dickens does this thing -catch?) I like it a heap better than those mission-furnished rooms -in Clarke. Of course, next year I suppose I’ll try for Dudley, with -the rest of the First Class fellows, although I don’t know about -that, either. Maybe I won’t. Maybe I’ll stick here. It’s getting a -whole lot like home, Toby. But as for its being good for me to have -you with me here, why, that’s sort of funny, T. Tucker. Guess you’re -not the only one that’s――er――that’s benefited, what? Rather like it -myself, if you must know. Homer and I got on pretty well, all things -considered, but that was mainly because he’s too lazy to quarrel with -you about anything. Personally, Toby, I like a row now and then. It -sort of――clears the atmosphere, so to speak. That’s why I thought of -you. You’ve got such a perfectly beastly disposition and such a rotten -temper that I can have a scrap whenever I feel the need of it. So, you -see, it was pure selfishness, after all, old thing.” - -Toby smiled and went over to the closet with his burden. “We started -with a scrap, anyway,” he said. “Remember it, Arn?” - -“Perfectly. I intimated that your hair was sort of reddish and you -didn’t like it. So you came at me like a cyclone and we both went into -the harbor. I remember it perfectly. It started because you wanted -twenty-four cents a gallon for some gasoline.” - -“Twenty-two. You said you paid only twenty in New York.” - -“Anyway, I offered you less than you asked, and you said you’d pump it -out of the tank again, and――――” - -“Good thing I didn’t have to try it,” laughed Toby. “That was only a -little over a year ago, Arn! Why, it seems years!” - -“Much has happened since then, T. Tucker,” replied Arnold, tossing the -notebook on the table. “Events have transpired. In the short space -of――let me see; this is September――in the short space of fifteen months -you were rescued from a living-death in the Johnstown High School and -became a person of prominence at Yardley Hall!” - -“Prominent as a cleaner and presser of clothes,” laughed Toby. - -“Nay, nay, prominent as one swell hockey player, Toby, and also, if -I mistake not, as a rescuer of drowning youths. Don’t forget you’re -a hero, old thing. By the way, I wonder if young Lingard’s back. For -your sake, I hope he isn’t. His gratitude to you for saving him from a -watery death was a bit embarrassing to you, I thought!” - -Toby smiled ruefully. “You didn’t _think_, you _knew_,” he said grimly. -Arnold laughed. - -“To see you slinking around a corner to evade the kid was killing, -Toby! And he is such a little rotter, too! While you were rescuing, -why didn’t you pull out something a little more select?” - -“Oh, Tommy isn’t a bad sort really,” responded Toby earnestly. “He――he -just didn’t get the right sort of bringing-up, I suppose.” - -“Maybe. Personally, I always feel like taking him over my knee and -wearing out a shingle on him! Well, this won’t get our things unpacked. -Let’s knock off after a bit and see who’s back. Funny none of the gang -has been in. Wonder if Fan’s back. And Ted Halliday.” - -“I saw Fanning at supper,” said Toby. - -“We’ll run over to Dudley after awhile and look him up. You like him, -don’t you, Toby?” - -“Fanning? Yes, but I don’t really know him as well as some of the other -fellows. He’s football captain this year, isn’t he?” - -“Yes.” Arnold nodded and then frowned. “Sometimes I wish we’d elected -some one else: Ted, maybe, or Jim Rose.” - -“Why? I thought you liked Fanning a lot. And he was the whole thing -last year in the Broadwood game, wasn’t he?” - -“I do like him. He’s a mighty fine chap. And he’s a whale of a player. -Only, what sort of a captain will he make? He’s too easy, to my way -of thinking. He’s likely to fall for a lot of fellows who can’t -play much just because they’re friends of his. I don’t mean that he -will intentionally show favoritism, but he’s too plaguy loyal to his -friends, Toby. To tell the truth, I’m half inclined to stay out of -it this fall――No, that isn’t so, either. What I do mean is that I’m -scared that Fan may keep me on even if I don’t really make good. And -I’d hate that worse than poison. I want to make the team, but I don’t -want fellows to wink and laugh and look wise about me. You know the -sort of stuff: ‘Oh, Deering, ye-es, he’s all right. But it’s lucky for -him Fanning’s a friend of his!’ That sort of guff. Of course, this new -coach, Lyle, may be a chap with a mind of his own and not stand for any -of the friend-of-my-youth stuff. I hope so. I’d feel better anyway. By -the way, you haven’t changed your mind, Toby?” - -“About football? No.” - -“I wish you would. Why don’t you?” - -“Lots of reasons,” answered Toby smilingly. “In the first place, I -tried it last fall. In the sec――――” - -“You call that trying? You just went out with a whole mob of fellows -and loafed around until they got tired of walking on you. Besides, you -were out for the Second. The First’s a different proposition, son, -especially now that you’ve made good in hockey. Every one knows that -you’ll be hockey captain next year.” - -“It’s more than I know,” said Toby good-naturedly. “Anyhow――――” - -“And you’re at least fifteen pounds heavier than a year ago. They said -you were too light, didn’t they?” - -“They meant in the head,” replied the other gravely. - -“They were dead right, too! But, honest, old thing, joking aside――――” - -“Arn, I haven’t got time for football and I can’t afford it.” - -“That’s what you said about hockey last winter. And you were so pressed -for time that you copped a Ripley Scholarship! As for ‘affording’ it, -where’s the expense come in?” - -“Togs and things,” answered Toby. “And traveling expenses. Arn, if -I went in for football and made the team――which I couldn’t do in a -million years――I’d have to go back to sponging coats and pressing -trousers, and that would make the room awfully smelly, and you wouldn’t -like it a bit.” And Toby ended with a laugh. - -“Piffle! All right, have your own stubborn way. You’ll miss a whole lot -of fun, though.” - -“And a whole lot of bruises! Anyway, Arn, one football hero is enough -in a family. I’ll stay at home and cut surgeon’s plaster for you and -keep your crutches handy and hear your alibis.” - -“Idiot,” said Arnold. “Come on, dump that truck on the chair and let’s -go over to Dudley. I want to hear some sensible conversation for a -change.” - -“You don’t mean you’re going to keep quiet all evening, do you?” asked -Toby with concern. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -SID OFFERS ADVICE - - -The school year began the next morning. Many new faces confronted -Toby in the recitation rooms and some familiar ones were missing. -Toby’s list of friends had not been a long one last year, although -acquaintances had been many. It had been his first year at Yardley -Hall, which fact, coupled with a fairly retiring disposition, had left -him rather on the outside. It is always a handicap to enter school -in a class below your friends, which is what Toby had done. Arnold -and Frank, both a year older, had been in the Third, while Toby had -gone into the Fourth. Consequently the fellows he had met through -Arnold――Frank had not counted greatly as a friend last year――had few -interests that were Toby’s. To be sure, in early spring, after he had -made a success of hockey, things had been somewhat different. But even -then he had remained a pretty insignificant person among the three -hundred and odd that made up the student body of Yardley Hall School. -Not that Toby cared or thought much about it. He was too busy getting -through the year without calling on his father for further financial -assistance to pay much attention to the gentle art of acquiring friends. - -One friend, however, Toby had had, whether or no. That was Tommy -Lingard, a Preparatory Class youngster, pink-cheeked, blue-eyed, shy -and, in appearance, the soul of innocence. That he wasn’t as spotless -as he looked has nothing to do with this story. Toby had saved Tommy -from drowning, and thereafter the younger boy had attached himself to -his benefactor like a shadow. It had been very embarrassing at times, -for saving a person’s life does not necessarily imply that you want to -spend the rest of your life in that person’s company! Toby didn’t like -Tommy, for which there was a reason, but he couldn’t be brutal to him, -and short of being brutal there had seemed no way of evading Tommy’s -doglike devotion and his unwelcome companionship. It had become a joke -to Arnold and a few others, but Toby found it far from that. When June -had brought the end of the school year Toby couldn’t have told you -whether he was more delighted at finishing an Honor Man in his class -or at getting rid of Tommy Lingard! - -He had returned this fall with a grim determination to be rid of the -boy at any cost short of murder, but to-day, glancing uneasily about -as he passed from one recitation to another, he was not so sure of -himself. Probably, he reflected discouragedly, when Tommy appeared and -got those big blue eyes on him he wouldn’t find it in his heart to -be unkind to the youngster, and the whole wretched, tiresome program -would begin all over again. Therefore when, hurrying from his last -morning recitation at twelve, he almost bumped into Tommy on the steps -of Oxford, he was at once amazed and relieved when that youth said, -“Hello, Toby,” in a most embarrassed voice and sidled past. At the -foot of the steps Toby stopped and looked back. Could that be Tommy? -Of course it was, but it was a very different Tommy. He had shot up -during the summer like a weed. His clothes looked too small for him, -too short of leg and sleeve. He was thinner of body and face, the -pink-and-white complexion had muddied, the blue eyes were no longer -luminous with truth and innocence and the voice had dropped several -notes to a ridiculous bass! In short, Tommy had changed very suddenly -from a blue-eyed cherub to a commonplace and awkward boy. And Toby was -very, very glad, so glad that he went the rest of the way to Whitson -whistling at the top of his voice; or should I say at the top of his -whistle? - -“Just shows,” he reflected as he skipped up the stairs, “that it -doesn’t pay to worry about anything that may happen, because maybe it -won’t!” - -After a two o’clock séance with “Old Tige,” by which name Mr. Gaddis, -English instructor, was popularly known, Toby went with Arnold down -to the athletic field. September had still a week to run and the -afternoon was almost uncomfortably hot. Across the river, the wide -expanse of salt marsh was still green in places, and overhead the sky -was unflecked by clouds. Fortunately a little westerly breeze mitigated -the heat. Most of the tennis courts were occupied, a group of baseball -enthusiasts were congregated over by the batting net and on the blue -surface of the curving stream a few bright-hued canoes were moving -slowly upstream or down. Toby found himself almost wishing that he had -chosen a dip in the Sound instead of an hour or more of unexciting -observation of some fourscore overheated youths going through football -practice. However, the new grandstand, finished during the summer, -was roofed, and as soon as Arnold left him to his own devices Toby -meant to climb up there into the shade and sprawl in comfort. On the -way they passed new boys here and there――it was easy to detect them if -only by their too evident desire to seem quite at home――and they agreed -gravely, pessimistically that they were a rum looking lot, and wondered -what the school was coming to! Old friends and acquaintances hailed -them from a distance or stopped to chat. Arnold was rather a popular -fellow and knew a bewildering multitude of his schoolmates. - -“Seems mighty nice to be back again,” Arnold observed after one such -meeting. “Bet you we’re going to have a dandy time this year, T. -Tucker.” - -“Maybe you will,” answered the other dubiously, “but I don’t expect to -unless they drop Latin from the curriclumum――curric――well, whatever you -call it.” - -“Call it the course, old thing,” laughed Arnold. “It’s easier on the -tongue. But I thought you finished strong with Latin last year.” - -“I did pretty well in spring term, but it looks tougher this fall. And -I’ve got Collins this year, and every one says he’s a heap stricter -than Townsend.” - -“Well, he is, I suppose, but he’s a mighty good teacher. You get ahead -faster with Collins, I think. Anyway, it won’t look so bad when you’ve -got into it, Toby. Besides, I dare say I can help you a bit now and -then.” - -“You,” jeered Toby with a very, very hollow laugh. “You’ll be so -full of football for the next two months you won’t know I’m alive! -A nice outlook for me, I don’t think! When I’m not bathing you with -arsenic――or is it arnica?――or strapping your broken fragments together -I’ll have to listen to you yapping about how it was you missed a -tackle, or got your signals mixed. Arn, as a companion you’ll be just -about as much use as a――a――――” - -“Don’t overtax that giant intellect of yours, old thing. It’s too hot. -Wonder where the crowd is. You don’t suppose those fellows are all that -are going to report?” - -“It’s not three yet. Probably the rest of them preferred to stay -sensibly in the shade while they had the chance. Wish I had! Arn, is -that what’s-his-name over there?” - -“No, that’s thingumbob. Whom do you mean?” - -“The little man in the blue sweater-coat talking to Fanning. See him?” - -“Yes. I guess it must be. Isn’t very big, is he? Fan said last night, -though, that he talked a heap of sense. I’m going over. Come along and -meet him.” - -“No, thanks. I’ll wait here.” - -Arnold left him by the corner of the old grandstand and made his way -toward where the new coach was in conversation with Captain Fanning. -Toby saw Fanning introduce Arnold to Mr. Lyle and saw the two shake -hands. Then something broad and heavy smote him disconcertingly between -his shoulders and he swung around to find Sid Creel’s grinning, -moon-like countenance before him. - -“Hello, Toby!” greeted Sid, reaching for his hand. “I had a beastly -fright. Just when I was lamming you I thought maybe it wasn’t you after -all. You’ve sort of thickened up since last year. Rather embarrassing -to find you’ve whacked a total stranger on the back, eh? Much obliged -to you for being you, Toby. I’ll never forget it. What sort of a summer -did you have? You’re looking hard as nails and more beautiful than -ever!” - -“Same to you, Sid. Are you going out for football?” Toby glanced at the -other’s togs. - -“No,” replied Sid gravely. “I’m going to tea at the Doctor’s.” - -“Well,” laughed Toby, “that was sort of a fool question, but I didn’t -know you were a football shark.” - -“I’m not; I’m just a minnow. I’m trying for the Second. I always do. -I’ve been trying for the Second Team for years and years. If I’m not -here they postpone until next day. I should think you’d go in for the -game, Toby. Ever tried it?” - -“A little. I was out for the Second last fall, but I didn’t stay long.” - -“That so? I don’t remember seeing you.” - -“Funny, Sid; there were only about eighty of us the first day!” - -“Well, I didn’t know you then, Toby. Why don’t you try again? Didn’t -you like it?” - -“I don’t know. Guess I didn’t have time to find out whether I did or -didn’t. They said I was too light and fired me after three or four -days.” - -“Well, you certainly have enough weight now. Come on and join the -goats. It’s lots of fun. You get action, son, and it lets you out of -gymnasium work while you’re at it. That’s something! Come on!” - -Toby smiled and shook his head. “Guess not, thanks. I never would make -a football player.” - -“You? You’re just the kind, Toby. You’re quick and you’ve got a good -head, and you’re built right, too. Wish I had your build. Only thing -I’m good for is center or, maybe, guard. I’m too bulky. It isn’t all -fat, though, believe thou me. Feel them here biceps, son, if you doubt -my word.” - -“I kind of envied you your fat――I mean your muscular bulk, Sid――last -winter,” answered Toby. “You could fall flat on the ice without hurting -yourself. You just kind of bounced up and down a few times and didn’t -mind it. When I fell I felt it!” - -“Never mind about me bouncing,” said Sid good-naturedly, with a grin. -“I got around the ice a heap faster than some of the chaps at that. But -about football, Toby――――” - -“I haven’t got time for it, Sid; that’s another thing. I’ve got to put -my nose to the grindstone, I guess, this year.” - -“Well, haven’t I? Rather! But football won’t cut in on studying――much. -Anyway, a fellow studies better for being out-of-doors and getting -plenty of exercise and――――” - -“Yes, but I can be outdoors without playing football, Sid.” - -“Gee, you’re the original little Excuse-Me! Well so be it. After all, -some one’s got to stay out of it and be audience, and from the looks -of things right now, Toby, you’re the only fellow left to sit in the -grandstand and cheer us on to victory. Look at the gang coming down! -There’s a fellow I want to see. So long! Better change your mind, -though!” - -Arnold came back for a minute and then left in answer to the plaintive -squawking of a horn from farther along the side of the field. Fully -eighty youths of assorted ages and sizes gathered about the new coach -and the hubbub was stilled as the small man in the blue knitted jacket -began to speak. Toby could hear an occasional word, but not enough -to make sense, and, since it was no concern of his, he turned toward -the grandstand and climbed up into the grateful shade. Forty or fifty -others had already scattered themselves about the seats in couples or -groups, most of them munching peanuts or popcorn bars, ready to be -amused if amusement required no exertion on their parts. A lazy way to -spend a perfectly good afternoon, reflected Toby. He wished he hadn’t -let Arnold persuade him to come, but, being here, he lacked energy for -the hot uphill walk back to the dormitory. He would stay awhile, he -told himself; at least until the afternoon had cooled a little. - -There was a salvo of polite handclapping from the group within sound -of the coach’s voice and it broke up. Andy Ryan, the trainer, emptied -a canvas bag of trickling footballs and they were pounced on and borne -away to various parts of the field. The big group became half a dozen -smaller ones. It was only “kindergarten stuff” to-day, even for the -veterans; passing and falling and starting; not very interesting from -the viewpoint of candidate or audience. Toby located Arnold working -with a squad under big Jim Rose. Arn was, as Toby knew, pretty soft -after a fairly lazy summer, and the boy in the shade of the big stand -smiled unfeelingly as he saw his chum straighten himself slowly in -deference to protesting muscles. - -“He will be good and sore to-night,” thought Toby. “Sailing a boat all -summer doesn’t keep a football man in very good trim, I guess!” - -After that he lost interest in the scene before him, and, his somewhat -battered straw hat on one knee and the lazy breeze drying his damp -hair, let his thoughts carry him back to Greenhaven and the folks in -the little white cottage on Harbor Road. It would be very pleasant -there to-day on the vine-shaded steps, with the harbor and the white -sails before him and the cheery _click-clock_ of the caulking iron and -mallet and the busy _pip-pup, pip-pup_ of the gasoline engine sounding -across from the boat yard. Better still, though, would it be to lie -in the stern of a boat, main-sheet in hand, and slip merrily out past -the island to where, even to-day, the white-caps would be dancing on -the sunlit surface of the bay. He was getting the least bit homesick -when the sound of approaching steps brought his wandering thoughts -back. Climbing the aisle was a somewhat thin, carelessly dressed youth. -His head was bent and so Toby couldn’t see his face well, but there -was something dimly familiar about the figure. Toby wondered why, with -several hundred empty seats to choose from, the boy, whoever he was, -had to come stamping up here. He sighed and changed his position and -was relapsing into his thoughts again when he saw to his annoyance that -the approaching youth had stopped at the end of his row, two seats -distant. Toby’s gaze lifted curiously to the boy’s face. Perhaps it -was more the two strips of rather soiled surgeon’s plaster adorning -the chap’s upper lip than the features that led Toby to recognize him. -Mentally, Toby groaned. Aloud, trying to make his voice sound decently -friendly, he said: “Hello! Well, how’s it going?” - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -G. W. TUBB - - -“Hello,” answered the other gruffly. - -To Toby’s further annoyance he slid into the end seat, as he did so -producing a folded but rather crumpled handkerchief from a pocket. This -he held across to Toby. - -“’Tain’t very clean,” he said, “but it’s the best I could do.” - -“What is it?” asked Toby, accepting it doubtfully. “Oh, I see; my -handkerchief. You needn’t have bothered. I told you to throw it away. -Still, much obliged.” It had quite evidently been washed by the boy -himself and ironed by the simple expedient of laying it while wet on -some smooth surface, perhaps a windowpane. Faint brownish stains had -defied the efforts of the amateur laundryman. Toby dropped it into a -pocket, aware of the close and apparently hostile stare of the other. -“Much obliged,” he repeated vaguely, for want of anything better to -say. - -“’At’s all right,” answered the other. “Too good a handkerchief to -throw away.” An awkward silence followed. Toby wished the youth would -take himself off, but that idea was apparently far from the latter’s -mind. Instead, he thrust his hands into the pockets of his trousers, -stretched his thin legs before him and scowled down at the busy scene. -He looked to be about fifteen, Toby thought. His features were not -bad in themselves, but his expression was sullen and dissatisfied and -his complexion was too much the color of putty to be pleasant to look -at. Also, his skin didn’t seem clean and healthy. The same was true -of the youth as a whole. Toby thought a thorough application of hot -water and soap would improve him a whole lot, at least externally. His -clothes were of good enough material and fairly new. But they were -full of creases and needed brushing. His shoes were scratched at the -toes and would have been better for dressing and polishing. His collar -was cleaner than yesterday, but creased and rumpled, and the blue -four-in-hand scarf needed tightening. On the whole, this chap was not -a prepossessing member of Yardley Hall society, and Toby had no desire -to increase the acquaintance. But so long as he was here some sort of -conversation seemed in order, and so, breaking the silence: - -“How’s the cut getting on?” Toby asked. - -“All right,” the other answered without turning his head. Then: “Say,” -he challenged. - -“Yes?” - -“Your name’s Tucker, ain’t it?” - -“Yes. What’s yours, by the way?” Toby was sorry he had asked as soon as -the question was out. - -“Tubb,” was the answer, “George Tubb.” There was a pause. Then, -defiantly: “Middle name’s William. Go on and say it!” - -“Say it? Why, George William Tubb,” responded Toby obligingly. - -The other turned and viewed him suspiciously. Then he grunted. “Guess -you don’t get it,” he muttered. “George W. Tubb, see?” - -“I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean,” answered Toby indifferently. - -“You would if you saw it written,” said Mr. Tubb gloomily. “Everybody -does.” He pitched his voice to a falsetto. “‘What’s the W. stand for? -Wash?’ Gee, I’m sick of it. I tried to tell the guy in the office where -you get registered that my middle name was Harris, but he said it -couldn’t be that and begin with W. It’ll be W. in the catalogue, so you -might as well know it now. Well, I’ve been ‘Wash-tub’ ever since I was -a foot high, so I guess it don’t matter here!” - -“What’s the difference?” asked Toby. “One nickname’s as good as -another, isn’t it? Names don’t matter.” - -“Some don’t. I suppose they call you ‘Red’ or ‘Carrot’ or something -like that. I wouldn’t mind――――” - -“Hold on, Tubb!” Toby’s voice dropped a note. “No one calls me what -you said. Some fellows have tried to, but they changed their minds. -Understand?” - -Tubb grinned. “Don’t like it, eh? Thought you said names didn’t -matter! Well, I don’t like my nickname any more than you like yours; -I mean what fellows started to call you.” The grin faded and Tubb’s -countenance became overcast again with the settled expression of -sullenness. “Anyway, what they call me here doesn’t cut any ice. I -won’t be here long.” - -“How’s that?” asked Toby, trying to make his question sound politely -interested. - -“I’m going to beat it. This ain’t any kind of a school for me, Tucker. -Gee, what would I do here? Look at the gang of highbrows and mamma’s -darlings! They’d stand for me about two days. I know the sort. Some -of ’em come to our town in summer. Think they ever have anything to do -with us town guys? Not on your life! We’re too common for ’em, the dear -little Willie Boys!” - -“Why did you come here then?” asked Toby coldly. - -“It was Pop’s idea,” replied Tubb. “Aunt Sarah died last spring out in -Michigan and she left Pop some money. The will said some of it was to -go for my schooling. I wanted to go to Huckins’s, in Logansport. Know -it? It’s an all-right school and two or three fellows from my town go -there. It don’t cost much, either. But Pop was set on this dive. About -ten years ago Pop was in partnership with a man named Mullins in the -logging business, and this Mullins had a boy who went to school here. -Pop thought a lot of the Mullinses, and when he learned about Aunt -Sarah’s will he said right off I was to go here. He got the high school -principal to coach me all summer. I kept telling him I wouldn’t like it -here, kept telling him it wasn’t any place for a storekeeper’s son, but -he wouldn’t listen. He said he’d lick the hide off me if I didn’t pass -the examinations, and I knew he would. So I passed. He’ll lick me if I -go back home, too, so I’ve got to go and get me a job somewhere. Guess -I’ll enlist in the Navy. I’ll tell ’em I’m seventeen. They don’t care. -I know a fellow got in when he was a couple of months younger than I -am.” - -Toby viewed Tubb distastefully during a brief silence. Then: “Seems to -me,” he said slowly and emphatically, “the Navy is just the place for -you, Tubb!” - -“Sure,” began the other. Then something in Toby’s tone made him pause -and view the other suspiciously. “What do you mean by that?” he -demanded. - -“Just what I said. What you need is discipline, Tubb, and a whole lot -of it, and you’ll get it in the Navy. And I wish them joy of you!” Toby -arose and crowded past to the aisle. - -“Ah, go to thunder!” snarled Tubb. “You’re like all the rest of them, -ain’t you? Silk-sox! Who cares what you think? Say, I hope you ain’t -caught anything, sitting alongside me like that!” - -There was more, but Toby didn’t hear it. Going down the aisle he -was uncomfortably conscious of the curious looks bent on him by the -occupants of the nearer seats who had been aroused from their sleepy -occupation of following the practice by Tubb’s strident voice. He was -glad when he had reached the ground and turned the corner of the -stand. Passing between the busy tennis courts, he reflected that -befriending strangers didn’t work out very satisfactorily for him. -After this, he decided, smiling whimsically, fellows might drown or be -cut to pieces for all the help he would offer! - -Just before supper, when Arnold came back to Number 12, a trifle -washed-out looking and not moving very spryly, Toby narrated the -outcome of the incident in the train. By this time he was able to tell -of the meeting with George W. Tubb with a touch of humor and Arnold -listened amusedly, stretched at length on the window-seat. - -“You’re right, Toby, the Navy’s just the place for friend Tubbs.” - -“Tubb,” corrected Toby. “There’s only one of him, praise be!” - -“We’re getting some strange freaks here of late, anyway,” reflected -Arnold. “There were several on the field this afternoon. Well, it takes -all sorts to make a world――or a football team! Say, T. Tucker, the new -coach is a peach. Fan’s crazy about him, and so are the others. Did -you hear the song-and-dance he gave us before practice? Some sane and -sensible little speech, that was.” - -“What did he say?” asked Toby. - -“We-ell,” Arnold hesitated, “I don’t know that he said anything much -different from what all coaches say at the start of the season. It -was more the way he said it, I guess. Of course he insisted rather -painfully on hard work, and told us what a fine, intelligent-looking -lot we were.” - -“Must be nearsighted,” murmured Toby. - -“And said something nice about Fan. Oh, it was much the usual speech, -only――well, it did sound different, somehow. One thing he did say, -though, T. Tucker, may interest you.” - -“You may proceed, Mr. Deering.” - -“He said he wanted every fellow in school who had the possible making -of a football player in him to report not later than Monday, and that -if they didn’t volunteer he’d draft them! That ought to give you -something to think about, old thing.” - -“Meaning that I have somewhere concealed about me the making of a -football player?” asked Toby. - -“Exactly. You’d better keep out of Lyle’s way or he will grab you.” - -After a moment Toby, who had armed himself with towel and soap-dish -preparatory to a trip to the lavatory, moved to the door but paused -with his hand on the knob. “He can’t draft me, Arn,” he said. - -“Why can’t he, I’d like to know?” - -“Because I’m going out for the Second to-morrow.” - -“_What!_ Honest? When――How――――” - -But Toby had closed the door behind him. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -WITH THE SECOND - - -Of recent years the custom of having separate organizations for the -First and Second Teams from the very outset of the season had obtained -at Yardley. In the old days the Second was made up, perhaps a fortnight -after the school year had started, of players who were not needed on -the First and those who, for one reason or another, were ineligible for -it. As a result, the Second as an adversary for the First, or School, -Team, never amounted to much until the season was half gone. Under the -new system the Second came into being two or three days after the start -of the fall term, with a coaching staff, small but sufficient, of its -own, a captain elected the preceding year and a general organization -similar to that of the First save as to size. The coach was inevitably -some enthusiastic and patriotic fellow who had recently graduated and -who gave his services free. At times――whenever possible, in fact――he -summoned other graduates to his assistance. If he was a wise coach, -he never had more than one assistant at a time. If he was unwise, he -had――and chaos reigned. - -This year the coach was Mr. Burtis. Burtis had, in his time, been -a remarkable half-back and an equally remarkable kicker, both in -preparatory school and college. He had left college last spring and -was, consequently, but twenty-one or twenty-two years of age. Because -Yardley Hall history accorded him much fame as a player and leader, a -great deal was expected of him. Toby’s first look at Kendall Burtis -produced more surprise than anything else. He found himself wondering -how any man could be as utterly homely as the coach and yet look as -attractive, how any one could have so many angles in his body and yet -be so free from awkwardness! Burtis was rather large, ruggedly built, -square of frame. His mouth was broad, his nose somewhat pug, his hair -nondescript in hue. Yet in spite of these things the face was pleasing -and attractive. Perhaps the very dark gray eyes, clear and steady -and honest, were accountable. Or it may be that the mouth expressed -kindliness. At all events, after that first instant of surprise and -confusion, Toby liked the new coach immensely. Whether the new coach -liked Toby I can’t say. It is quite probable that he didn’t see him, -for Toby was only one of some forty-eight fellows drawn up in a group -on the edge of the second diamond that Saturday afternoon. - -Toby wondered what words of wisdom would fall from that -generously-proportioned mouth, and he craned his head over Sid Creel’s -shoulder that he might hear them all. What he did hear and see were -hardly worth the exertion. Coach Burtis, a new football snuggled in his -left elbow and his right hand thrust into a pocket of an old pair of -gray trousers, looked pleasantly over the little throng for a moment. -Then: “Well,” he said genially. “It looks like we had material for a -good team here. Let’s get busy!” - -That was all. Toby felt a trifle neglected and disappointed. But he -had to acknowledge that perhaps getting busy was as important as -listening to a speech. After that, for more than an hour and a half, he -had very little opportunity for feeling neglected. There were moments -when he wished he might. Coach and captain were both believers in hard -work, and both buckled down resolutely to the task ahead of them. -More than half the material was inexperienced, much of what remained -was useless, and only some twelve or fourteen candidates combined -experience with ability. To-day’s work was the veriest drudgery, and, -although occasional halts were called, yet the September sun did -unkind things to many. Toby, rather to his surprise, discovered that -he was not nearly so hard and fit as he had thought. After ten minutes -of passing and falling, he perspired from every pore, and ere the -afternoon’s practice was finished, he felt very much like a wet rag. -Also, he had somehow managed to develop a painful crick in his left -shoulder, close to his neck. And the muscles in the backs of his legs -felt as if some one had pounded them with a board. On the whole, he -was far less enthusiastic than he had been at three o’clock, and even -the shower failed of much reaction. Dragging a tired body from the -gymnasium across the yard to Whitson, he wondered by just what mental -process he had the day before arrived at the decision to play football! - -As a matter of fact, there had been, so far as he could recall, no -mental process at all. Arnold had threatened him with the First Team -draft and almost without reflection he had announced that he was going -out for the Second! Ten minutes before, or even three, he had had no -more idea of a football career than he had had of jumping from the -window. Well, reflected Toby ruefully, it just showed that you couldn’t -be too careful of impulses! - -He supposed that Sid Creel was mainly responsible for these aching -muscles. He had resolutely refused to be persuaded by Sid’s arguments, -and yet, apparently, he had been! Or else he had done it just to -surprise Arnold. Maybe that was it. If it was, it was a mighty poor -reason! Any amount of surprise on the part of Arnold wasn’t worth the -soreness of those leg muscles! He groaned as he started up the stairs, -but nearing the door of Number 12, he assumed a carefree and nonchalant -air designed to deceive Arnold in case that youth was within. - -He wasn’t, though, and Toby was thankful. It gave him a chance to lie -down on the window seat, groaning as much as he pleased while doing it, -without arousing curiosity. He dropped his cap――he had put by the straw -hat――on the nearest object and divested himself of an unnecessary coat. -It was while he was getting rid of the latter article of apparel that -his eyes fell on an envelope propped against the base of the droplight -on his side of the table. It bore his name in funny up-and-down -characters, like the writing of a boy of ten, and the postmark showed -that it was mailed in Wissining that morning. Of course, it might be -only an invitation to deal at one of the few local stores, but there -was evidence against that premise; such as the lack of any address in -the corner, the queer writing and a brownish smudge along the flap -suggesting that unclean hands had sealed the envelope. He bore it -to the window seat, settled himself cautiously against the pile of -cushions, stretched his aching legs out and tore open the letter. A -single sheet of blue-ruled paper emerged. Toby read it frowningly. - - Dear Tucker: I’m sorry for what I said this afternoon. I didn’t - mean it because you are the only fellow at this place who has - been decent towards me since I came here. I got mad and I - wish I hadn’t and I’m sorry. I wish you’d forgive me, please, - Tucker. I guess what you said was true about the Navy, I mean, - and maybe I’ll do like I said. Every one here shows plain that - I am not wanted at this school and I guess the sooner I beat it - the better. If more fellows were like you maybe I could stick - it out. I am not afraid of the studies. It is not that, but the - fellows here are not my kind I suppose. You are not either, but - you acted like you did not think much about that. I am just - writing this because you were decent to me in the train that - day, more than any other fellow has been, and I do not want - you to think I am no good at all, with no gratitude. If I do - not see you again, good-by and good luck, from Yours Truly, - Geo. W. Tubb. - -Toward the end of the queer epistle Toby’s frown disappeared, and when -he had read it once he read it again. After that he laid it down and -looked out over the woods below the railroad cut, at the foot of the -Prospect, and so to the blue expanse of Long Island Sound. A sail boat -dipped slowly along the shore and afar out a cocky tug was leading a -draggled parade of three coal barges. Presently the frown crept back -again, and he lifted the letter, folded it and put it back in its -envelope. - -“Suppose I ought to answer it,” he thought, “only, what can I say? Tell -him I don’t mind what he said, I suppose, although it happens that I do -mind. At least, I ought to. He’s a very objectionable, soggy-minded, -unclean fellow, and I don’t want any more to do with him. Still, that -doesn’t say that he isn’t having a horribly messy time here. Of course -fellows don’t take to him. He looks dirty and bad-tempered and he talks -worse than he looks. He doesn’t belong here. Seems to realize it, too. -Shows he has some sense, doesn’t it? Well, I didn’t say he didn’t have -sense. Trouble with him is he’s been left to do as he likes too much, -I guess. Bet you I know that father of his. Severe as anything when -things go wrong, and the rest of the time doesn’t pay any attention to -the kid. He didn’t say anything about a mother or brothers or sisters. -Probably there’s just the two of them in one of those mean little towns -where nothing ever happens that’s worth while. Bet you there isn’t -even a movie theater there! Dad puts out the lamp at nine o’clock and -goes to bed and the kid has to go, too, and the only way he can have -any excitement is to sneak down the rain-spout and get into mischief! -Oh, well, it’s no affair of mine. Still, I am sort of sorry for Tubb. -‘Washtub.’ Beastly nickname! Wonder who his adviser is. Probably hasn’t -been near him, and would only growl and be ugly if he went. Best thing -can happen to George W. Tubb is to seek pastures new.” - -Toby yawned and closed his eyes. The faint breath of cool evening air -that blew in through the open window beside him made him feel very -sleepy. He would write a couple of lines to Tibb――no, Tubb――after -supper. Tell him it’s all right, and―――― - -Toby fell asleep. - -Ten minutes later he dreamed that he was falling down innumerable -flights of stairs, bounding from one to another with ever increasing -momentum. He didn’t seem concerned about the process of falling, but he -knew that when he reached the bottom, if he ever did, there would be -an awful smash! In case there shouldn’t be enough left of him to groan -then, maybe he had better do it now. So he did, quite frightfully. And -opened his eyes to find Arnold and Frank tugging at him and laughing. - -“Wake up, Toby! It isn’t true!” - -“N-no,” agreed Toby doubtfully. “But――I’m glad you stopped me before I -got to the bottom!” - -“Nightmare?” asked Frank. “I have it sometimes. Get a move on. We’re -going to get supper early and beat it over to Greenburg for the first -house at the movies.” - -“I don’t see any use in my spending good money to see movies,” demurred -Toby, sitting up sleepily, “when all I’ve got to do is go to sleep and -have movies of my own!” - -Arnold grinned. “How did practice go?” he asked significantly. - -“Fine.” Toby was quite cheerful and nonchalant. “Made me sleepy, -though, I guess.” - -“Hope you’re not tired or lame or anything like that? You had such a -lot of fun ragging me yesterday, you know. Too bad if _you_――er――――” - -“Me? Oh, well, it was pretty warm, of course, but when you’re in good -hard condition――――” - -“What’s the matter?” asked Arnold, grinning. - -“Matter? Why?” - -“I thought you made a face when you stood up. My mistake, of course!” - -“I don’t know what you’re getting at,” declared Toby with great -dignity. “If you think that a little football practice――_ouch! Gee!_” -He sat down again on the window seat and rubbed his back ruefully, -while the others laughed with wicked glee. - -“It won’t do, old thing! There’s no use stalling. You’re as bad as I -was yesterday, when you had the beautiful cheek to sit there and read -me a lecture on not keeping fit! Where does it hurt worst?” - -“All over,” groaned Toby. “I’ll be all right after I move around -a while, though. That’s one advantage of being in fine physical -condition: you may get a bit lame but you get right over it!” - -“Isn’t he the wonderful bluffer?” asked Arnold admiringly to Frank. -“Well, go ahead and move around, old thing. It’s five minutes of, and -we want to get over there before seven.” - -“Tell me one thing first,” begged Toby, squirming about from his waist -up. “Do they have cushions on the seats at the movie house?” - -“Oh, yes, and they’ll give you a couple of pillows at the ticket office -if you ask for ’em,” answered Frank. “Hustle now!” - -“What you tell me sounds perfectly beautiful,” said Toby sadly, “but -I’m afraid it isn’t true.” - -Thereupon Arnold thrust towel and soap into his hands, Frank held the -door open and between them they pushed him, groaning and remonstrating, -into the corridor and headed him toward the lavatory. - -“It’s really an awful joke on him,” chuckled Arnold as Toby’s lagging -footsteps receded down the hall. “He thought he was as hard as nails, -and had a fine time crowing over me yesterday. Said it took more than -sailing a boat to keep a fellow in shape!” - -“I guess the only way to keep fit enough for football,” said Frank, -feelingly, “is to chop trees all summer. I was just about all in last -night. How did you manage to persuade him to take up football, anyway, -Arn? I thought he was dead set against it.” - -“So did I. _I_ didn’t persuade him. I don’t know who did――or what! He -sprung it on me suddenly yesterday. I’m glad, though. I think there’s a -good football player in Toby, Frank.” - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -SIGNALS - - -Although Toby was back in Whitson before nine that evening, it is -needless to say that the note he had promised himself to write to -George Tubb did not get written. In fact Toby forgot all about it until -the next morning, when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and -asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep. - -“No, throw it in the basket,” answered Toby. “Hold on, though! Guess -I’ll keep it. I’ve got to answer it to-day. Stick it on the table, Arn.” - -Later it got buried under a book and so during the course of a busy day -or two Toby again forgot it. He might have remembered it on Sunday, -which, as at every preparatory school in the land, was the recognized -letter-writing day of the week at Yardley, but he didn’t. He wrote to -his folks in the afternoon until Arn, who never spent much time on his -correspondence, dragged him away to the river and a certain shining -blue canoe. Then he finished the epistle in the evening just before -bedtime, and retired with a fine feeling of duty performed. Monday -witnessed a change in temperature. There was a light frost on the -ground when Toby and Arnold hurried over to chapel, and, although the -middle of the day was bright and warm, by the time practice began on -the gridirons there was enough nip in the air to make work with the -pigskin more agreeable. - -Toby found himself on a squad of fellows of much his own age and -football experience――or lack of it. It didn’t seem to him that he -showed much promise of ever being better than a dub at the game, and -while he did rather enjoy the work, he was not vastly concerned over -the prospect of being dropped. He had been dropped very promptly last -fall, and he expected a similar fate this season. Of course, he was -heavier now than then, but he guessed football required something more -than weight of a fellow. Sid Creel was playing center on another squad -in signal drill that Monday afternoon, so far as Toby could discern, -conducting himself in a highly meritorious fashion. Sid had weight and, -apparently, ability, and Toby decided that this year his good-natured -perseverance was to be rewarded. - -After three quarters of an hour of “baby-play” the Second Team -candidates were summoned to the bench and Coach Burtis announced the -first scrimmage. “Who have we for center on B Team, Harris?” he asked -the trainer. - -“Center? Well, there’s Galvin and that tow-headed chap over there, -Coach. And Creel. Creel’s got the build, all right. Want to try him?” - -“Yes. And Burnett and Hodgson for guards. And――what’s your name, you -chap?” - -“Thorson, sir.” - -“Well, Thorson, you take left tackle on B. I want another tackle now. -Who wants to play tackle? All right, I’ll take you: the fellow in the -green sweater. Now, a couple of ends, Harris. Yes, they’ll do. Burns at -quarter. Come on, Burns! And Folwell and――――” - -“Nelson’s played half, Mr. Burtis,” suggested Grover Beech. - -“I want him on A Team. Who else is there? Fosdick? All right. And that -fellow down there, whatever his name is, for full-back. All right, get -out there, fellows! You referee, Harris, please. I’ll be ump. I want -all the rest of you chaps to follow the play closely and learn all you -can. We’ll play two ten-minute periods, Harris. Team A takes the ball -and north goal. Now then, let’s see what you fellows know about the -game!” - -At first it didn’t seem that they knew very much, for signals went -wrong, fumble followed fumble and the players became occasionally so -inextricably mixed up that scrimmage had to be halted while they were -disentangled. But Coach Burtis, alternately umpire and critic, was -possessed of a vast patience, and toward the last of the first ten -minutes things went better. Team A worked down to the opponent’s twelve -yards and would have scored if the line had held. But a B Team tackle -trickled through and laid White on his back before he was well started -on a wide run, and after that Frick, quarter-back on the attacking -side, missed a try-at-goal by many yards. - -A five-minute rest followed, during which the coach and the trainer -and Grover Beech lectured and criticized, and then, with many changes -in each line-up, the scrimmage began again. Toby still decorated a -bench, looking rather colorful with his red thatch obtruding from a -blue blanket. Toby had dutifully watched the efforts of the players, -but it cannot be truthfully said that he learned much. Perhaps he was -too attentive to the performance and fortunes of Sid Creel at center -on Team B. Sid appeared to be playing his position rather well, -Toby thought, although he didn’t pretend to be anything of a judge. -At least, Sid lasted longer than most fellows of his team, returning -breathless to the bench only when the last period was more than half -over. He squirmed into a place beside Toby, pulling a blanket about his -broad shoulders. - -“I guess he didn’t have much on me,” Sid panted, “if he is ten pounds -heavier!” - -“Who?” asked Toby. - -“Watson. He didn’t get past me once, and I turned him twice. Did you -notice?” - -“Who’s Watson? Their center?” - -“Yes. If they’d given us a couple of decent guards we’d have put it all -over that bunch. Burnett isn’t so bad, but Hodgson laid down every time -any one looked at him! You didn’t get in, did you? What are you trying -for?” - -“That’s what I’ve been wondering, Sid.” - -“I mean what position.” - -“How do I know? End, I suppose. Or half. Search me!” - -“Well, you’d better make up your mind. When Coach yells for an end the -next time, sing out and race on there. That’s the only way you’ll get a -chance. Beat the other fellow to it, Toby.” - -“I’d be afraid he’d take me,” answered Toby dryly. “I don’t know any -more about playing end than――than you do center!” - -Sid grinned. “You watch me, Toby. I’m going to fade Watson before this -season’s much older, my child. Honest, I really believe I’ve got a -chance to stick this year. Of course, it’s a bit early yet, but――――” - -“What’s he yelling?” interrupted Toby. Play had paused, a youth was -limping to the side-line and Coach Burtis was shouting toward the bench. - -“Quarter,” said Sid. He looked left and right along the benches. Here -and there a player squirmed indecisively but none appeared to have -enough courage to offer his services. “Guess all the quarters are used -up,” mused Sid. - -Trainer Harris added his voice to the coach’s. “Aren’t there any -quarter-backs over there? Get a move on, somebody! Any of you!” - -“Coming!” shouted Toby, throwing aside his blanket and jumping to his -feet. - -“He said quarter, you idiot!” hissed Sid. “You aren’t a quarter!” - -“How do you know?” laughed Toby. “_I_ don’t!” - -“All right, this way,” greeted the Coach, as Toby raced on. “What’s the -name?” - -“Tucker, sir.” - -“Ever played quarter, Tucker?” - -“No, sir.” - -“Well, then what the mischief――――” - -“Trainer said any of us, sir.” - -Mr. Burtis frowned, smiled and nodded shortly. “Go ahead then. Let’s -see what you can do. Know the signals?” - -“Yes, sir.” Toby was pretty certain that he had forgotten them, but it -wouldn’t do to say so! Turning, he caught the amused smile of Captain -Beech. Toby dropped the lid of his left eye gravely and stepped to -position behind center. - -“Look what you’re doing, Tucker,” warned the coach. “Third down and -four to go.” There was amusement in his tone and Toby flushed. Third -down and four, he thought hurriedly. That meant that a line play wasn’t -the thing. What was, then? He hesitated and glanced doubtfully at the -backs. The trainer blew his whistle. Something had to be done and done -quickly. If B Team hadn’t been having luck with A’s line there was no -use trying to get four yards between tackles, even on a third down. -The teams were near the middle of the field, and A had three men back, -evidently expecting an open play. Then why not―――― - -“14――23――8――――” Toby’s voice sounded very weak and small to Toby. -“14――23――――” - -“_Signals! Signals!_” The whole back-field was remonstrating, it -seemed! His heart sank. He had got his signals wrong! But how? No, he -was right. It was the others who were wrong! - -“Signals!” he cried, scowling at the nearer of the three backs behind -him. “14――27――8――196――――” - -The team awoke to action. Full-back dashed headlong upon him, took -the pass and went, twisting and boring, into the mêlée. Toby threw -himself behind, triumphant. His signals _had_ been right, just as he -had known! (It wasn’t until after practice was over that he learned -that he had changed them the second time!) The play went through for -well over three yards, the unfeasible for once proving feasible, and -B Team exulted and looked approval at Toby. Toby tried to be modest -about it, which, considering that he had called for the play in sheer -desperation, not remembering at the moment anything else to call for, -wasn’t hard! Some one, too, had walked on his face, and that helped him -toward humility. - -Realizing that he had established a reputation for generalship, Toby -tried hard to live up to it, but although B did not get the necessary -eighteen inches or so on the next down, the succeeding play failed -dismally and B lost nearly all she had gained. Toby tried to assure -himself that the fault was the right half-back’s, but something told -him that an end run from balanced formation was predestined to fail -and that another time he would remember that there was such thing as -a shift! Perhaps he would have vindicated the reputation gained from -his first lucky play if the scrimmage hadn’t ended then and there; or -perhaps he would have become exposed for the impostor he knew himself -to be. At all events, Toby welcomed the whistle heartily. - -Afterwards, in the gymnasium, Grover Beech detained him on his way from -the shower. “Snappy work, Tucker,” he said, smilingly. “Glad to see you -with us.” - -Toby reflected the other’s smile in somewhat sickly fashion. “Thanks,” -he answered lamely. “Of course, I didn’t know anything about playing -quarter, Beech――――” - -“Well, you got away with it, anyway! That’s the main thing. And that -plunge at guard when we were looking for a pass was clever strategy.” -There was a twinkle in his eye, however. Toby’s smile broadened. - -“Have a heart!” he begged. “I didn’t know whether that play was going -to right or left, Beech!” - -“Well, I’m glad it went to the right,” laughed the Second Team captain, -“for if it had come my way I’d have been just as unready for it as Weld -was! Going to try for quarter, Tucker?” - -“Gee, no! I’ve had all I want of it, thanks. I just did it as a sort -of joke. I’m no football player, Beech, and you’ll miss my shining -countenance in a day or two.” - -“Oh, I hope not,” answered the other. “Better stick it out.” - -“And you will, if I have my say,” he added to himself as Toby went off. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -TOBY MAKES A CALL - - -That evening Tubb’s letter fell to the floor when Toby moved a book on -the study table, and Toby, with a qualm of conscience, rescued it and -re-read it, a perplexed frown on his countenance. Then he drew a pad of -paper toward him and poised his pen above it. But that is as far as he -got. After a minute of thought he put the pen down and resolutely, if -reluctantly, pushed back his chair. “How late is the office open, Arn?” -he asked. - -“Eight, I think,” replied his roommate, without raising his eyes from -his work. “What’s the matter?” - -“Nothing. I――just want to find out where some one lives. Back after a -bit.” - -Toby made his way downstairs and followed the walk to Oxford. At the -end of the corridor the ground-glass panel marked “Office” still glowed -with light, and when Toby pushed it open, Mr. Forisher, the secretary, -was still at work beyond the railing. Toby made known his wants and -the secretary silently pointed with his pen toward a list tacked -to a board beside the door. The names of the students were there, -arranged alphabetically, and Toby found the T’s and went down the list: -Tolliver, Tooker, Traine, Tubb, Tucker―――― - -“Whoa!” murmured Toby. “‘Tubb, G. W., Fremont, N. H., 4 C., W. 31.’ -What do you know? Right over my head! That’s the room Felter and Dunphy -had last year. He and I are side by side on the list. Hope that isn’t a -what-you-call-it――omen!” He retraced his steps to Whitson and ascended -two flights of worn stairs. The upper corridor awakened memories, -some pleasant, some otherwise. As ever, it was but dimly lighted by a -single gas-jet near the head of the stairs, and its farther ends were -pockets of gloom. For some reason electricity as a lighting method -had never penetrated to Whitson, although the other buildings had it. -Toby glanced toward the door of his old room ere he turned his back -to it and made his way along the rough boards of the hall. Number 31 -was on the front of the building, about halfway between stair-well and -corridor end. It was too dark to read the single card thumb-tacked to -the portal and Toby knocked instead. There was a noticeable interim -of silence before a voice that was strange to the caller called an -ungracious “Come in!” - -Toby accepted the invitation. The only light in the room came from the -green-shaded droplight on the littered table directly before the door, -and its radius was small, leaving most of the room in shadow. For a -moment Toby thought he had imagined the voice and that the room was -empty. Then, however, his eyes accustoming themselves to the gloom, he -saw a blur of white and gray beyond the table that gradually evolved -into the form of George Tubb. Tubb was minus coat and waistcoat, and -one suspender had escaped from a shoulder. - -“Hello,” said Toby uncertainly. There was something in the strained -silence of the room that made him uncomfortable. “I got your note, -Tubb,” he went on awkwardly, “and I meant to answer it――――” - -“That’s all right,” growled Tubb. “Forget it. I had a brain-storm.” - -Toby had advanced to the side of the table, and now his host was -plainly revealed. Tubb had a towel in one hand and with it, as he -spoke, he dabbed at his face. Each time the towel came away there was a -new stain on it. - -“Hasn’t that cut healed yet?” asked Toby in surprise. - -“Doesn’t look so, does it?” muttered Tubb. He pulled the dropped -suspender over his shoulder and turned as though in search of his coat. - -“But――――” began Toby. - -“It was all right till I landed on it!” interrupted a strident voice -from the other side of the room. “I hope he bleeds to death!” - -Startledly, Toby swung about and peered into the shadows. Tubb laughed -mirthlessly. “That’s what I’ve got to live with,” he announced. “Its -name’s Ramsey. Have a look at it, Tucker. Show the gentleman your face, -Percy.” - -“You big bully! You――you country jay! You wait! I’ll get square, all -right. You’ll have――――” - -“What is this?” broke in Toby, disgusted and resentful. “You fellows -been scrapping?” He stepped around to where the second occupant of the -room could be discerned beyond the confusing radiance of the droplight. -The appearance of the unhealthily-stout youth confronting him answered -the question. Ramsey’s nose was bleeding profusely, and an already -overworked handkerchief was doing little to disguise the fact. The -boy’s face, pale save for flaming disks of red about the cheek bones, -was convulsed with childish, helpless passion, and his dark eyes -flashed as venomously as a snake’s. - -“You ought to be proud of your friend,” he exclaimed in a voice still -high and trembling with anger. “The country jay! All he can do is -call names and――and use his fists. I’ll get even, though! I guess the -faculty will have something to say! I’ve stood all I’m going to from -the dirty-neck――――” - -“Drop it!” shouted Tubb, springing toward him. Toby pushed him back. - -“Listen, you two,” he said vehemently. “There’s been enough of this. -I don’t know what it’s all about, but you ought both to be ashamed of -yourselves. Any one would think you were a couple of――of gutter kids! -This sort of thing doesn’t go here, and you’d better learn that right -now. Get a towel, Ramsey, and wash your face. Best way to stop that -bleeding is to keep a cold bandage there. You――――” - -“No one asked your advice,” sputtered Ramsey. “He’s broken my nose――――” - -“I hope so,” growled Tubb. “I’d like to break your fat neck, Percy!” - -“That’s what he does!” Ramsey fairly shrieked. “You heard him! He’s -always doing it! I’m going to the Office――――” - -“What is it he’s always doing?” asked Toby, puzzled and impatient. -Ramsey became incoherent; but Tubb, with a laugh of derision, explained. - -“He doesn’t like being called Percy.” - -“Then why――――” - -“Because that’s what he is, a regular Percy. Besides, Percy isn’t any -worse than Horace, and that’s his real name!” - -“Yes, and you call me by it! I’d rather be named Horace than Tubb any -day! At least, I wash my neck sometimes, and that’s more than you do, -you dirty――――” - -“I told you to drop it,” growled Tubb, again trying to push past Toby. -“I’m as clean as you are, you fat sissy! One more crack about my neck -and I’ll finish you for keeps!” - -“No, you won’t do anything of the kind,” said Toby severely. “Stop -calling each other names and keep quiet a minute. The first thing you -know you’ll have a faculty up here! What’s the matter with you fellows? -Are you crazy?” - -“He’s always nagging me!” Ramsey’s wrath was turning to grief, and -there was a sob in his voice. “He’s always calling me Percy――――” - -“Then let me alone,” retorted Tubb. “It’s bad enough having to room -with a mother’s pet like you, without getting your lip all the time. -I’ve warned you fifty times, haven’t I? Tell the truth now! Haven’t I -told you over and over that I wouldn’t stand for your sneers and your -silly jokes?” - -“I’m not afraid of you, you big――――” - -“Stop!” commanded Toby sternly. “I’ll take a hand myself now, and the -first one of you who calls names will get a licking from me. I mean it. -It may not be my business, but I’m going to make it that. Tubb, you sit -down in that chair. Ramsey, you sit in the other one.” - -Tubb, with a fleeting grin, obeyed unhesitatingly. Horace Ramsey looked -rebellious, muttered, smeared his face anew with the gory handkerchief -and finally subsided. There was no lavatory on the third floor of -Whitson and the rooms up there were supplied with washstands. Toby -poured water from pitcher to bowl and soaked a towel in it. Silence -reigned save for occasional muffled gasps from Ramsey. Toby wrung the -towel half dry. - -“Hold that tight to your nose, Ramsey, and keep your head back as -far as you can,” he directed. Ramsey twitched his heavy shoulders -resentfully, but Toby tipped his chin back and planked the folded -towel over the leaking nose. “That’s it. Hold it there with your hand. -It will stop in a minute, I guess. Anyway, cold water will take the -soreness out.” - -“Yes, it will,” snuffled Ramsey. “I don’t think! He’s broken it, I tell -you! I ought to see the doctor.” - -“Oh, I don’t think so,” replied Toby reassuringly. “Noses don’t break -very easily. They feel broken lots of times when they’re just bruised.” - -“I didn’t hit him hard enough――――” began Tubb. - -“You did, too! You――you hammered me!” - -“No, I didn’t,” the other growled, “but I will the next time!” - -“There isn’t going to be any next time,” said Toby quietly. He found a -chair beside one of the beds and set it in front of the belligerents. -Secretly, he was rather amused at the rôle he had assumed. He was no -more than a year older than Tubb, and he might be Ramsey’s senior by -even less; and he was far from certain that, should he be required to -fulfill his threat, he was much more than a match for Tubb when it came -to a fight. But he kept his doubts to himself and viewed the two with -assurance. “Let’s get this cleared up now,” he went on pleasantly. “You -two fellows will have to room together at least until Christmas recess, -and you might just as well make up your minds to do it peacefully. -What’s your objection to Tubb, Ramsey? You shut up, Tubb: you’ll have -your say in a minute.” - -“He doesn’t like me,” said Ramsey, after a moment’s hesitation, “and -he’s always nagging at me. He calls me Percy and makes fun of me -because I wear decent socks and underwear and things――――” - -“You ought to see ’em,” muttered Tubb scathingly. - -“Please!” said Toby. “Ramsey’s doing the talking now. And what else, -Ramsey?” - -“Well, he’s――he’s always at it! It would make any fellow mad, I guess! -And he says I’m fat!” - -“All right. Now, Tubb, what’s your grouch?” - -“Oh, he makes me sick, Tucker! Look at him! How’d you like to live with -him all the time? Looks like a fat white toad!” - -“I’d rather be a toad――――” But Ramsey stopped under Toby’s warning -look, and subsided in mutters. - -“He says I don’t wash my neck and that I’m a country greenhorn,” -resumed Tubb. “He’s one of these Willie Boys from the city who think -they know it all. He wears lavender and old-rose socks and the cutest -little union suits you ever saw, Tucker. And――oh, he makes me tired!” - -“Fine!” said Toby. “Now I’ll talk.” He turned to Ramsey. “Tubb says -you’re fat, and so you are, Ramsey. You’re disgustingly soft and fat. -You ought to be ashamed of it. If I were you I’d get rid of twenty -pounds if I had to lose sleep to do it. Stop eating sweet stuff for a -month, get outdoors and exercise. As for lavender socks, that’s your -affair. If you don’t like being called Percy, don’t act Percy.” He -turned to Tubb. “Ramsey says you don’t wash your neck, Tubb, and you -don’t. At least, you don’t wash it enough. It’s not clean. I’ve noticed -that myself. As for being from the country, why, you are, aren’t you? -There’s nothing to be ashamed of in that, and if you aren’t ashamed of -it you won’t mind being reminded of it. Now the real trouble with you -two fellows is just this. You are both of you too much concerned with -yourselves. You need to think about something else for awhile. Neither -of you has a good big interest in life, and you need one. Know any -game, Ramsey?” - -“Game?” repeated the boy vaguely. - -“Well, sport, then. Ever play football or tennis or golf?” - -“I’ve played tennis,” said Ramsey uninterestedly. “I don’t care for -sports.” - -“You don’t need to tell me that. But wouldn’t you rather play tennis -or golf, or even football, than have to take an hour in the gymnasium -every day?” - -“I don’t think so,” muttered Ramsey. - -“You’ll change your mind presently, then. What about you, Tubb? You’ve -played baseball, I guess.” - -“Sure.” - -“Football?” - -“Some.” - -“Good enough! I’ll get you started to-morrow. Got any togs?” - -Tubb shook his head. “I didn’t bring ’em. They weren’t――weren’t dressy -enough for this dump!” - -“Can you afford to buy some new ones?” - -“Yes, if I want to.” Tubb sounded defiant. - -“Get some to-morrow before three, then. There are two or three stores -in Greenburg where you can get fixed up. I’ll come up here for you at -three sharp. What hour have you got free in the morning, Ramsey, on -Tuesdays?” - -“Nine to ten,” replied Ramsey, after consideration. - -“Good! So have I. Meet me at the tennis courts at five past nine. -Got a racket?” Ramsey nodded. “All right. That’s settled. Now I want -you fellows to promise me something.” He eyed them both sternly. “I -want you to promise me that you’ll both keep silent the rest of the -evening. You’re not to speak a word, either of you, until you wake -up in the morning. That is,” he added, smiling, “after I go. And I’m -going now. Nine-five at the courts, Ramsey. Three sharp up here, Tubb. -Good-night!” - -A sort of dazed silence held them both until the door was almost shut -on Toby. Then: - -“Good-night,” stammered Ramsey, and: - -“Go to thunder!” growled Tubb. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -TUBB TRIES FOOTBALL - - -Arnold was interested and amused, but he didn’t approve, and he said -so. “You’ll have those freaks hanging around your neck for the rest -of the year, T. Tucker,” he remonstrated. “You can’t make over a poor -thing like this Tubb, or the other chap, from what you say of him. What -do you expect to do? Play tennis with Rumsey――――” - -“Ramsey,” Toby corrected meekly. - -“_Rum_ is more like it, I guess,” accepted Arnold grimly. “Anyhow, do -you mean to take him on at tennis every day until he loses his fat -and――and finds a soul? Besides, you can’t play tennis for beans!” - -“N-no, but I dare say I’m good enough for Ramsey. Oh, I guess I have -made a _faux pas_, as we say in French, but, hang it, Arn, you can’t -see a couple of idiots making fools of themselves――――” - -“Idiots generally are fools, aren’t they? Look here, Toby, something’s -gone wrong with your alleged intellect. You didn’t used to hunt trouble -like this. You were beautifully――er――what’s the word?――beautifully -aloof. Used to mind your own business better than any chap I ever knew. -Now look at you! Going out of your way to get mixed up with all sorts -of queer fellows like this Tubb and this other freak. Isn’t young -Lingard enough of a warning to you?” - -“Tommy doesn’t love me any more,” answered Toby pathetically. “And I -just must have affection, Arn!” - -“Affection!” grunted his chum. “What you need is a swift kick, my son! -All right, all right, go on with your missionary work, but don’t ask me -to help you out. And, for the love of lemons, Toby, don’t have these -weird friends of yours in here!” - -“Well, I shan’t encourage them to call, but, of course, Arn, if they -should――――” Toby smiled innocently. - -“Well, if they do I’ll beat it. Now shut up and let me study this -beastly math.” - -But although Toby pretended to be undisturbed by Arnold’s predictions, -secretly he was regretful. Why, he wondered, as he tried to fix his -mind on the subject of French nouns, had he insisted on assuming the -part of guide and mentor to those two unpromising chaps in Number 31? -Of course, neither of them would keep the engagements he had made for -them. Things wouldn’t happen as easy as that. Well, in that case he -would have a good excuse to drop them, he reflected. After all, it -wasn’t his business to look after their welfare. Besides, he was going -to be far too busy, what with lessons and football, to fuss with them. -Busy? Gee, he’d say he was! He meant to go after another scholarship -this term, and that meant real work. He ought never to have taken on -football. It wasn’t worth risking a scholarship for. No, sir, it just -wasn’t! And he’d drop it the end of the week surely――if it didn’t drop -him first! - -To his surprise, Ramsey was awaiting him at the tennis courts when -he reached them, a minute or two late, the next forenoon. Ramsey was -appropriately attired in white flannels and looked less objectionable -this morning, even though his nose was still somewhat larger than -normal. He greeted Toby rather sheepishly, as if ashamed of having kept -the appointment. But Toby pretended that there was nothing unusual in -the situation, and greeted Ramsey cheerily. Perhaps he was a little -bit disappointed at finding the other there, though. If he was we can -scarcely blame him. - -Ramsey proved to be a better player than Toby had anticipated. He had -a puzzling service and a good back-hand stroke, and was rather crafty -at placing. In short, if Ramsey had had half as much speed as science -he would have run away with the first set. As it was, Toby finally -captured it, 7 to 5. Ramsey wasn’t enthusiastic about a second set, but -Toby refused to heed his reluctance and they went at it again. Now, -however, Ramsey’s skill was more than offset by weariness, and Toby did -pretty much as he liked with his opponent. He might have secured the -victory very easily, but he purposely allowed Ramsey to take the fourth -and sixth games, determined that the latter’s first dose should be a -strong one. The morning was sufficiently warm to put even Toby in a -perspiration, and Ramsey literally oozed moisture. The second set went -as far as 4 to 2 and then recitations called them back to Oxford. There -had been little conversation during the playing, but returning up the -hill Ramsey became rather communicative. - -“I guess I could beat you, Tucker,” he said, mopping his flushed face -with a sodden handkerchief, “if I wasn’t so out of practice. I haven’t -played much for a couple of years. My heart isn’t very strong, you see, -and my mother doesn’t like me to do much of it. In fact, one set at a -time is my usual limit.” - -“Yes, you’d beat me easily if you weighed fifteen pounds less,” agreed -Toby. “Who told you your heart isn’t strong?” - -“Why, I don’t know,” replied the other vaguely. “It’s always been -that way, ever since I was a kid. Mother says I had scarlet fever or -something when I was five or six, and that sort of weakened it. I dare -say it isn’t really dangerous, you know, but you can’t help thinking -about it sometimes. I get tired very easily. It was about all I could -do to keep on my feet toward the last, back there. My breath gives out -and my heart gets to pounding horribly. I’m strong enough other ways, -though.” - -Toby surveyed him gravely. “You would be if you took care of yourself,” -he said. “If you didn’t eat too much and took plenty of exercise you’d -do, I guess. You’re as soft as a lump of dough now, though,” he added -unfeelingly. “How much do you weigh?” - -“I don’t know. I haven’t been weighed for a long time.” Ramsey’s tone -was aggrieved. - -“Run into the gym the first chance you get and find out. And make a -note of it, Ramsey. Well, see you again. I enjoyed playing. Maybe we -can have another game some day.” He was purposely careless and vague, -and found his reward in the flicker of disappointment in Ramsey’s eyes. - -“I’d like it, too,” murmured the boy. “I suppose you’re pretty busy, -though.” - -“Fairly, yes. I tell you what, I’ll drop around some evening and -we’ll compare schedules. Maybe we can get in an hour now and then in -the mornings. If I were you, though, Ramsey, I’d try to find some -fellow to play with meanwhile. Take your racket down to the court in -the afternoon and hang around. You can generally run across some one -looking for a game. So long!” - -They parted in the corridor and Toby, hurrying along the west hall, -told himself that perhaps, after all, Horace Ramsey was worth troubling -about. Anyway, no harm had been done, and if Ramsey did take up tennis -again positive good would result. All the boy needed was to get rid of -a lot of fat by healthful exercise and wise eating. “Got to get that -bum heart notion out of his head, though,” Toby added. “Probably got -as good a heart as I have, or any other chap. Fine scheme to bring -a boy up with the idea that he can’t play tennis or take exercise -because his heart is weak! Swell way to strengthen it, loafing around -and eating everything that’s rich and soggy! Of course, he may have -something wrong with it; it’s possible; but I don’t believe it. I’ll -get him to go to Mr. Bendix and see what he says.” - -At three o’clock Toby rapped on the portal of Number 31 according to -agreement. Tubb bade him enter. Tubb was not, as Toby observed, ready -for football. In fact, Tubb didn’t look to be ready for anything but to -make himself disagreeable. Ramsey was not there. - -“Thought you were going to be all ready,” announced Toby as he closed -the door behind him. “Get a move on, Tubb, it’s three now. Where are -your togs?” - -“I didn’t get any,” answered the other defiantly. - -“Why not? Didn’t they have them? Did you try――――” - -“Oh, what’s the use? I’m not going out for football. What chance would -I have? I don’t know any one and I haven’t any pull. And I ain’t much -good at it, anyway.” - -“You can learn, can’t you? There isn’t time to argue about it, Tubb. -You can get your togs to-morrow. I’ll get you fixed out all right for -to-day. I’ve got an old pair of pants in my locker, and we can borrow -shoes. You’ve got an old sweater, haven’t you?” - -“I’ve changed my mind,” growled Tubb stubbornly. - -“I haven’t,” replied Toby pleasantly. “Come on now! We’ve got -to hustle! I told them I was going to bring you, and they’ll be -disappointed if I don’t.” - -Tubb inelegantly expressed unbelief. “Told who?” he demanded. - -“Never mind who,” said Toby, “you come on and see.” To be very -truthful, Toby had quite casually mentioned to Grover Beech at noon -that he was bringing another Second Team candidate out with him in the -afternoon, and Beech had nodded approvingly, but that Beech would be -disappointed was somewhat problematical. - -“Well,” said Tubb, “I can’t go to-day. Maybe to-morrow――――” - -Toby stepped forward and to Tubb’s vast surprise pulled the latter -swiftly to his feet. “Where’s that sweater?” he demanded. Tubb blinked, -his mouth open for words that didn’t come. “Which is your closet?” -continued Toby quickly. Tubb’s eyes shifted to the left and Toby pulled -open a door, fumbled through the few garments hanging beyond it and -pulled out a faded brown coat-sweater. “This isn’t the kind you want, -but it’ll have to do,” he said briskly. He tossed it over his arm and -threw back the door into the corridor. “All right! Beat it!” - -Tubb’s face expressed a queer mingling of resentment and relief. But -even yet he managed to find objections. “Oh, what’s the good?” he -growled. “I don’t want to play football, anyway. I don’t want――――” - -What he didn’t want was quickly changed to what he did want, for he -found himself suddenly outside in the corridor, the door closed behind -him and Toby’s firm, impelling clutch on his neck. “Wait! I want my -hat!” he begged. - -“You don’t need a hat,” was the inexorable answer. “Go on! I tell you -it’s getting late, and we’ve got to change yet. Hustle, G. W. Tubb!” - -Somewhat to Toby’s surprise, Tubb hustled. He tried to make a pretense -of hanging back, but he nevertheless covered the ground between -dormitory and gymnasium in very good time. The locker-room in the -basement was fairly packed with First and Second Team candidates, and -Toby was aware of an occasional curious glance, but for the most part -the occupants of the room were too busy to pay attention to him or his -charge. He found the old football trousers, borrowed a pair of shoes -from one neighbor and stockings from a second, and presently Tubb, -presenting a rather dilapidated appearance, was attired for business. -He nevertheless looked, Toby thought, a bit more presentable in the -battle-scarred togs than in the shapeless and wrinkled clothes he had -removed. During the operation of dressing Tubb grumbled and sneered -continuously, but he was no longer fooling Toby. It was plain to be -seen that Tubb was really quite as anxious to get to the field as Toby -was to have him! - -Several other newcomers reported that afternoon, and so Tubb was not -alone as a tyro. Toby haled him at once to Sam Wansworth, the manager, -and Tubb replied grumpily to the few stereotyped questions asked. Then -practice was started and the two parted, Toby joining his usual squad -and Tubb the bunch of latest recruits. It was an afternoon of good -football weather, bright and crisp, with a straight breeze blowing down -the field from the marshes across the glistening river. Beyond, on the -First Team gridiron, a half-dozen punters and drop-kickers were busy -in front of the north goal, and the pigskins arose and fell against -the blue distance. Just above the boathouse the single occupant of a -bright yellow canoe was struggling gamely against wind and tide, the -sunlight flashing on the dripping paddle. - -Twenty minutes of passing and starting, and then Toby’s squad was -trotted over to the tackling dummies and he had his first clutch at the -moving, swaying canvas effigy. That his first clutch wasn’t a firm one -is easily understood by those who have been through his experience. -“Gyp” Harris was in charge, and Gyp wasn’t one to be easily satisfied. -Working the rope that sent the dummy rattling along the cable between -the posts with one hand, he used the other to point and gesticulate. -Toby thought he had never seen any one more eloquent with one hand than -the trainer! Not, however, that Gyp was dumb, or even tongue-tied. On -the contrary, he had a strong voice and an effective vocabulary, and he -kept both busy in a sort of sing-song fashion. - -“Next man! Feet together! Let ’er go! Off on the left! Get him! Hold -him! Pull him down! Rotten, perfectly rotten! You tackled too high -again! Next man!...” - -Occasionally there was pause while Gyp left the pulley and strode over -to the head of the line and gave an illustration or criticized with -ample detail some glaringly unfortunate attempt. “What have I told -you about getting your body in front of the dummy, Bowen? Can’t you -understand that when you tackle a runner from behind he’s going to drag -you a way before you can stop him? Get in front of him so that your -body blocks him. A man can’t push with his legs below the knees when -he’s on his feet. Of course, you’re supposed to get to him hard enough -to put him off his feet. But if he has slowed up to meet you your game -is to lift him and throw him back toward his own goal. You can’t do -that if you’re behind him because he will throw his weight forward. Get -your body in front, lock his knees and lift. And don’t land on your -stomach when you dive, Bowen. Land on your hip. See if you can’t get it -right the next time.” - -Toby came to the conclusion that he was more than ordinarily stupid, -but it is probable that he did as well as any of the others that first -day. Presently they were dismissed, though not with the trainer’s -blessing, and another squad took their place. Coach Burtis and Captain -Beech had formed a tentative team of the more experienced or more -likely candidates, and these were trotting around the field in signal -work with Frick at quarter-back. Toby and three other fellows were sent -across to the further side of the gridiron to catch punts, or, failing -the catch, to recover them as best they could. At that game Toby found -himself rather clever. He seemed able to judge the wobbling, descending -balls with more certainty than his companions and to hold them better -when they reached him. Having got a ball, he trotted back part way -across and threw it the rest of the distance. He would have liked to -punt it, but this was forbidden. - -Still later, he was set to taking snap-backs and passes from Watson, -one of the candidates for center. He gathered that Watson had -shown himself deficient in that branch of his play. It wasn’t very -interesting work, for Watson was earnest and determined and erratic, -and Toby spent half of his time chasing around after the pigskin. Once, -taking passes from a distance of five yards and at an angle, or trying -to, he became aware that some one was looking on and turned to discover -Coach Burtis behind him. The coach nodded encouragingly. “Not bad, -Tucker. Try to be a little more shifty on your feet, though. Keep on -your toes, ready to go in any direction. In play it’s rather disastrous -to let the ball get past you, you know.” - -He went on, leaving Toby surprised and gratified that he had remembered -his name. - -There was no scrimmage to-day, and practice ended with a two-lap trot -around the gridiron and then up to the gymnasium, where most of them -arrived very much out of breath. During practice Toby had caught an -occasional glimpse of Tubb looking harassed and mutinous, but it wasn’t -until they met in the locker-room that Toby had an opportunity to speak -to him. Tubb sank onto the bench with a grunt of weariness and disgust -and savagely attacked the laces of his borrowed shoes. Toby, hiding a -grin, asked pleasantly: - -“Well, how did it go, Tubb?” - -“Rotten! There’s no sense to that sort of stuff. I thought I was going -to play football, not bean-bag!” - -“It is rather tiresome at first,” said Toby, “but you’ll soon be -through with that. To-morrow――――” - -“Yes, I’m through with it right now,” growled Tubb. “I’ve had all I -want, thanks, Tucker.” - -“Oh, piffle, Tubb! You’re not going to quit like that!” - -“Ain’t I? You watch me!” replied the other grimly. - -“Better give it a fair trial. After all, there’s a certain amount of -drudgery to be gone through with, no matter what you take up. Learning -to handle the ball is quite necessary, Tubb.” - -“A whole afternoon of it isn’t necessary, I guess. Anyway, I’m -through.” Tubb kicked the shoes aside scowlingly. “I knew how it would -be. A few fellows get all the pickings and the others play the goat. -All you’ll get out of it, Tucker, is a lot of hard work, and then -they’ll give you the bounce.” - -“What of it if I have a good time before they do?” asked Toby -cheerfully. - -“A good time!” sneered the other. - -“Sure. Come on and have a shower and you’ll feel better, Tubb.” - -“I don’t want any shower,” muttered Tubb. - -“Well, I do. As a favor to me, I wish you’d keep on for the rest of -this week, Tubb.” Toby spoke earnestly and smiled. Tubb caught the -smile. After a moment he growled hesitantly: - -“Oh, well――I’ll see.” - -“Thanks. That’s a promise!” - -“’Tain’t either! I didn’t say――――” - -But Toby was off and Tubb’s protest went unfinished. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -YARDLEY PLAYS GREENBURG - - -Two mornings later Toby again played tennis with Horace Ramsey. This -time Horace captured the first set, mainly on his serve, and made Toby -work hard to keep ahead in the second. Horace had followed Toby’s -advice and had sought and found an opponent the day before, and he was -fast reviving his enthusiasm for the game. Although it was perhaps only -imagination, Toby thought that the younger boy already showed evidences -of benefit from the exercise. To-day he made Horace promise to have Mr. -Bendix, the physical director, give him a thorough examination, and on -Saturday Horace reported the result of it. - -“I suppose he knows,” said Horace dubiously, “but it’s funny he didn’t -say anything about my heart until I asked him.” - -“What did he say then?” inquired Toby. - -“Well, he said there was nothing the matter with it.” Horace was -evidently thoroughly puzzled. “He said it was just as good as his. -Maybe he didn’t want to frighten me, though. Do you think that’s it, -Tucker?” - -“No, I don’t,” replied Toby bluntly. “I think he told the truth. If -there ever was anything wrong with your heart you’ve outgrown it, -Ramsey. Don’t worry about his trying to let you down easy. He wouldn’t. -I know that he’s mighty careful about weak hearts. He’s kept lots of -fellows out of track work and baseball just because of that trouble. -No, sir, Ramsey, if ‘Muscles’ says your heart is all right, you may -depend upon it that it is all right. How about your weight? Dropped any -yet?” - -Horace’s brow cleared magically. “Haven’t I?” he exclaimed. “Two and a -quarter pounds since I weighed Tuesday! How’s that?” - -“Fine――for a start,” answered Toby. “Keep it up. You’ve only begun!” - -Meanwhile, Tubb had kept on at football, although under constant -protest. He had bought himself togs, and very good ones they were; a -fact which led Toby to hope and believe that, in spite of his growls, -Tubb really meant to keep on. Whenever they met, however, Tubb wearied -Toby sadly with his grouches. He insisted on holding Toby responsible -for every bruise and every tired muscle. While he didn’t say it in -so many words, he made Toby understand that he had remained in the -Second Team squad merely to oblige the other. A martyr is bad enough -to have to listen to, but when the martyr has a grouch he is even more -irritating. There were times when Toby would have given much for the -privilege of kicking Tubb. But he didn’t. He didn’t even tell him to -dry up and blow away. He kept his temper and listened to the boy’s -growls without a murmur. Naturally, he didn’t seek Tubb’s society. In -fact, whenever he could do so without having it seem too apparent, he -avoided the pale-faced youth as he would have avoided any other pest. - -By that Saturday, however, the word pale-faced no longer applied to -Tubb as it had a week before. Four very warm days such as frequently -visit Connecticut around the first of October had brushed Tubb’s -cheeks with red and set his nose to peeling. Perhaps the change hadn’t -benefited the lad’s appearance much, but Toby noted it hopefully. Toby -himself had added another shade of brown to a complexion already well -sunburned by a summer spent largely on the water, and his blue eyes -looked lighter than ever in comparison with the surrounding territory -of mahogany hue. - -Something quite unlooked for and, to Toby, extremely disconcerting had -happened the middle of that week. On Wednesday there had been a summons -to quarter-back candidates to the lower end of the field for punting -practice. Toby had remained serenely unaffected on the bench, whither -he had retired after a strenuous bout with the tackling dummy, until he -had been awakened by the challenge of Coach Burtis. - -“Where are you, Tucker? Didn’t you hear the call?” Mr. Burtis was a -trifle incisive as to voice, for prompt obedience was something he -insisted on. Toby, alarmed, jumped to his feet and looked wildly about -him. - -“N-no, sir! What――where――――” - -“Well, hurry up.” The coach waved a hand toward the north goal. -“Quarter-backs down there for punting.” - -Toby stared, opened his mouth, closed it, stood irresolute until Mr. -Burtis asked sharply: “Well, what’s wrong? You’re trying for quarter, -aren’t you?” - -“N-n――――” Toby gulped hard. “Yes, sir!” - -“Well, get busy then! Want me to lead you by the hand?” - -Toby found his feet and hurried away, pursued by the laughter of the -others along the bench. - -“So I’m a quarter-back, am I?” he asked himself bewilderedly as he ran. -“Gee, that’s a new one on me! Well, it’s fine to know what you are, -even if you know you aren’t! I guess he will change his mind after he’s -seen me try it!” - -There were four other fellows there when he reached the scene: Frick, -Stair, Rawson, and Bird. Stillwell was coaching. Toby knew very -little about punting as a science, although he could kick a football -for varying distances from five yards to thirty――if he didn’t miss -it altogether! There was very little actual punting that day, for -Stillwell had a lot to say on the theory of it, and for the most part -the pupils practiced holding the ball and dropping it, standing and -stepping forward and swinging the leg. At the end Stillwell let them -try a few punts, and Toby, for his part, hoped that Coach Burtis wasn’t -watching! That evening he had a brand-new lot of aches situate in the -right hip and down the right leg. “Stillwell,” he confided ruefully -to Arnold, “thought he was coaching a bunch of ballet dancers. He was -never happy unless we were standing on the left foot and pointing the -right toe straight at the zenith, whatever the zenith is! I don’t feel -happy on both feet, Arn. Mind if I tuck one over the transom?” - -“You’re mighty lucky to get a chance at quarter,” answered his chum -severely. “Don’t you know that?” - -“Oh, yes,” said Toby, “I’m painfully aware of it!” - -By Saturday he had forgotten his aches and the lameness was gone and -he could toe the pigskin in a fairly creditable manner and for decent -distances, so long as direction was not important. But when he was told -to place a punt near the right side line about thirty yards distant, -either he sent it toward the left side line or down the middle of the -field. Or if by any possible chance he got the direction right, then -the ball went fifteen yards instead of thirty. There was, he allowed, -a lot more to punting than he had suspected. Of course, life wasn’t -all swinging a scuffed shoe against a stained and battered football -those days. There was signal work, too. And some experimenting in -forward passing. And other things. And Toby frequently regretted the -fact that he had not dared to tell Coach Burtis the truth when he had -been accused of quarter-back aspirations. Still, when things weren’t -at their worst, he enjoyed it. No one took him seriously as a quarter, -not even Grover Beech; and when scrimmaging began Frick and Rawson and -Stair had the call over him. Only once that week had Toby worked at -quarter, and then for only a matter of five minutes or so on B Squad. -For many days he disliked to recall the event, for he had dared a -quarter-back run and Farquhar, an opposing tackle, had chased him back -and back until, in sheer fear of being forced over his own goal line, -he had toppled to earth, snuggling the ball, a good fifteen yards back -of where he had started from! It was a very sheepish Toby who scrambled -to his feet again, for there was a ripple of laughter from the bench -and many amused faces about him. For the few remaining moments of play -he was too wretched to be of much use. Fortunately for him, perhaps, -A Squad had the ball and Toby was able to retire up-field and nurse -his wounded feelings in solitude. Afterwards he reached the pleasing -conclusion that he was not necessarily dishonored for life, but it was -some time before he cared to recall the incident. - -On Saturday practice was over early in order that the Second might -profit by watching the First Team play Greenburg High School. High -School wasn’t a formidable opponent even for a first game of the -season. Yardley had started her schedule with High School for many -years, generally winning by a comfortable margin of points. The contest -served to try out a large number of players, and it was usually on the -Monday following the Greenburg game that the first cut in the squad -was made. In consequence to-day’s battle meant a good deal to some -candidates who felt their positions to be none too secure, and there -were many anxious faces amongst the substitutes who graced the bench -after the game had started. - -Toby and the rest of the Second Team fellows didn’t reach the scene -until the second period had begun. Then they perched themselves, -still wrapped in their blankets like so many Indians, in the nearer -corner of the old stand and proceeded to be extremely critical. Sid -Creel squeezed into a place beside Toby with a huge sigh of enjoyment. -“Nothing to do but watch a lot of poor boobs work themselves deaf, -dumb, and blind,” he said with relish. “Who’s at center for them, Toby?” - -“Simpson.” - -“Well, he’s the best they’ve got, to my thinking. He’s light, though.” - -“Oh, well, his weight’s where it ought to be, Sid.” - -“Meaning?” - -“He’s got brains. So many centers haven’t, you know.” - -“Huh? ’S at so? Well, let me inform you――Oh, good work, Phil! How’s -that for a neat little canter, Toby? More than twenty yards! What’s -eating that referee? Oh, my word! Offside――no, holding! I didn’t see -any holding, did you? That referee’s crazy!” - -“No, I didn’t see any holding unless you call it holding to nearly pull -a fellow’s arm off him!” - -“Who did that?” - -“Ted Halliday.” - -“Idiot! Look what it’s cost them! Say, is Deering playing?” - -“No, that’s Bates at right half. And Roover at left. Arn will get in, -of course. Maybe he’s been in. Mr. Lyle will use about every fellow -he’s got to-day, I suppose.” - -“Yes, he’ll use a lot to-day and lose a lot to-morrow or Monday. Look -at that line of victims over there. A good third of them will be -missing next week.” - -“Yes, and some of them will be playing on the Second, Sid. I wouldn’t -wonder if we got a good center pretty soon.” - -“Soon! we’ve got one right now. I don’t want to seem boastful, -but――Gee, what a rotten punt! Who was that? Snowden, eh? Well, Larry -wants to do better than that or he will lose his job! Gee, I could kick -a ball farther than that myself!” - -Followed a Greenburg fumble, a quick recovery for a loss and a weird -attempt at an end run almost under High School’s goal. Then a kick -on second down and the ball floated into the waiting arms of Will -Curran, the Yardley quarter, just past the center of the field. Curran -was still the old Curran, it seemed, for he was off like a shot, -side-stepped an adversary, broke through the nearer field of mingled -friend and foe, and was off on a long, straight dash for the Greenburg -goal. Toby and Sid cheered prodigiously as Curran fooled the anxious -quarter and romped over the last white line between the posts. Snowden -missed the goal and the figures on the score-board stood 11 to 0. The -half ended a moment later and the big squad of blue-legged players -trailed off to the gymnasium. Sid ambled off to find some fellow who -had borrowed a dollar from him last spring, his round face set in -determined lines, and a moment later George Tubb took the vacant place -at Toby’s side. - -“Pretty punk game, isn’t it?” he said. - -Toby concealed his displeasure as best he could. “Well, it’s the first -one, you know. Can’t expect much of a first game. How did you get on -to-day?” - -“Pretty good.” Toby was actually startled. Never before had he heard -Tubb approach so close to enthusiasm! Even the rest of his response -couldn’t altogether spoil the first part. “I’m through to-day, though. -I only agreed to keep on for the week, you know. Well, here’s your fat -friend coming back, and I’ll beat it. So long, Tucker.” - -“So long,” answered Toby. To himself he added viciously, “I’d like to -punch your silly head!” - - - - -CHAPTER X - -TOBY EMPTIES HIS LOCKER - - -“The cheek of him!” exclaimed Sid, seating himself. “What do you think -he asked me to do?” - -“Go away?” hazarded Toby. - -“Asked me to lend him another half! Said he’d pay it all back next -Wednesday, when he gets his allowance. What do you know about that? -That fellow’s got the makings of a financier!” - -“Or a grafter,” laughed Toby. Sid shook his head. - -“No, his method is too high-class. He will be a J. Pierpont Rockefeller -at thirty. Well, anyway, I told him what I thought of him.” - -“Then you didn’t get your dollar, eh? Look here, if you’re hard-up, -Sid, I can lend you――――” - -“No, thanks. I’m all right. I don’t need that dollar just now, but -he’s been owing it since three days before the end of last term, and -I thought it was time he paid it. That was all. Maybe he will on -Wednesday. If he doesn’t I’ll land on his neck! Not that I care so much -about the dollar and a half, but it’s the principle of the――――” - -“Dollar, you mean, don’t you?” - -“Dollar? Dollar and a half. He owed me a dollar before.” - -“Do you mean that you lent him the half?” exclaimed Toby incredulously. -Sid looked surprised. - -“I told you, didn’t I? That’s what I was kicking about.” - -“But――but you didn’t have to lend him any more, did you?” - -“Have to? N-no, I didn’t _have_ to, but what are you going to do when -a fellow comes at you like that? Oh, he will come across some day. I’m -not worrying.” - -Toby laughed. “You’re easy, Sid,” he said. “I suppose next Wednesday he -will borrow another fifty cents from you! If fellows were all like you -I could be a Rockefeller myself! Here they come!” - -Yardley managed to chalk up twelve more points in the last two periods -and to keep Greenburg High from scoring. Greenburg weakened badly -toward the last, although, like her opponent, she made constant -changes in her line-up. During the final period there were moments -when the stream of incoming substitutes from the Yardley bench was -almost unbroken. Mr. Lyle used three full elevens that afternoon, and -then threw in a couple more players just for good measure. There were -occasional flashes of brilliancy on the part of the Blue, but for -the most part the contest was uninteresting and the playing ragged. -Greenburg certainly deserved to lose, but it is doubtful if Yardley -deserved to win. However, no one expected much from the team in that -game, and no one was very critical. - -That evening, alone for awhile in Number 12, Arnold had gone to a -lecture in Assembly Hall,――Toby forced himself to face a decision -regarding football. Earlier in the week he had promised himself to -quit to-day, but now he discovered that he didn’t want to quit. This -quarter-back business was mighty interesting, he acknowledged. Not that -he supposed for a minute that he would make good on the job: he would -never get so that he could rival Frick; never, perhaps, equal Rawson; -but a fellow needed some sort of exercise and football provided it. It -was really his duty to keep himself in training for hockey. - -On the other hand, Latin was proving quite as difficult as he had -predicted, and one or two other courses promised to claim lots of his -time. If he really meant to win a scholarship next term he couldn’t -afford too many distractions. It was easy enough to say that football -work need not interfere with studies, but football work had a way of -doing that very thing. It wasn’t so much the time spent in actual -practice or play that counted as it was the time a fellow gave to -thinking about football. The sport had a way of seizing a fellow’s -interest to the exclusion of all else. And toward the end of the -season, as the Big Game loomed near, it was just about as easy for a -football player to give serious attention to his studies as it was for -a boy with a new red sled to display enthusiasm for the woodpile! Toby -had learned this solely from observation, but he knew it was so. - -Toby’s father was a boat-builder, and while the past season had seen -a remarkable revival of the business, yet there were four of them in -the family, and while business had increased so had living costs. It -behooved Toby to get through the year as economically as possible, -and a scholarship award of perhaps eighty dollars would make a big -difference. He must do his level best to secure that. That decided, -had he the right to give the necessary time to football? Especially -as, after the Christmas recess, hockey would claim him. If it came to -choosing between the two, he would choose hockey. Hockey was Toby’s -game. He had proved himself in that. In football he might never become -more than a second-rate player, or even a third. If he resolutely gave -up football this minute and worked hard at his studies until Christmas, -he wouldn’t have to worry about the time he gave to hockey. Hockey -didn’t make the demands that football did, anyway. Well, then―――― - -Toby frowned and thought, and made up his mind and unmade it several -times, during the succeeding hour. Then Arnold came bustling in and -what his final decision was Toby never knew. But when he awoke Sunday -morning he discovered that his mind had attended to the matter by -itself while he slept, and in the afternoon, returning from a walk with -Arnold and Frank along the river, he excused himself and ran into the -gymnasium and down to the locker-room. When he overtook his companions -he carried an armful of football togs. - -“What――what――――” exclaimed Arnold. - -“I’ve decided not to play football, after all,” explained Toby calmly, -“so I thought I might as well clear out my locker to-day. There aren’t -enough of them to go around, you know.” - -“Oh, you make me tired!” wailed Arnold. “I thought that was all -settled.” - -“It is, now,” responded Toby cheerfully. - -“But why?” demanded Arnold impatiently. - -Toby explained, but Arnold refused to be satisfied. Somewhat to Toby’s -relief, Frank interrupted soothingly. “Let him alone, Arn. I guess -he’s right about it. It isn’t as if――well, what I mean is, he’s not -absolutely necessary, you know. It isn’t as if he was on the First -Team. The Second’s got plenty of material, and Toby’s not fooling -himself into thinking he’s a wonderful player. They’ll worry along -without him. No use spoiling a good hockey man to make a――a――――” - -“Punk football man,” supplied Toby pleasantly. “You aren’t flattering, -Frank, but I guess you’re right.” - -“No, he isn’t, he’s dead wrong,” said Arnold vehemently. “You could be -a rattling good football player, Toby, a corking one! I know it! And -now you’re queering everything. You make me sick. If you don’t dump -those things back in that locker the first thing to-morrow morning -I’ll――I’ll never forgive you, Toby!” - -“Oh, yes, you will,” said Toby. “You’re quite wrong about me as a -football player, Arn. I’m pretty sure of that. Anyway, as Frank says, -they don’t need me, and I do need that scholarship.” - -“I hope you choke on it,” growled Arnold disgustedly, and relapsed into -aggrieved silence. - -But in spite of the certainty that he had decided wisely and rightly, -Toby felt a trifle dissatisfied the next afternoon, and somewhat at -a loose end. He determined to devote the first hour and a half after -his final recitation to hard study, telling himself that he would -have the room to himself and that Whitson would be delightfully quiet -and conducive to work. Afterwards he would walk over and watch First -Team practice for awhile. But, although he found the quietude and -solitude he expected, it wasn’t so easy to put his mind on his books. -The sunlit world outside called loudly, he couldn’t get comfortable -in the chair and, in spite of good intentions, his mind insisted on -wandering toward the gridiron. But he stuck it out to the prescribed -moment and then fairly ran downstairs and into the late afternoon -sunshine, uncomfortably conscious that he had spent an hour and a half -to no purpose. Still, to-morrow he would do better, he promised. By -the time he had seated himself in the grandstand, watching the First -Team in a spirited practice game, he had recovered his spirits. On -the further gridiron the Second was hard at it, but Toby decided to -stay away from that quarter to-day. Grover Beech might say unpleasant -things about “quitters,” and while Toby’s conscience was quite clear, -he realized that the Second Team captain would have his own point of -view. But although he managed to evade Beech for the time, a meeting -was inevitable, and it occurred after supper that evening. They both -left their tables at the same moment and came together at the door. -Beech looked a trifle huffy. - -“What’s the stupendous idea, Tucker?” he demanded. “You know we -practice on Mondays just like any other day.” - -“Why, I――Didn’t Gyp tell you?” - -“Gyp? Yes, he said something about your not reporting to-day, but that -didn’t mean anything to me. What’s the scheme, old man?” - -Toby explained, not very eloquently because Beech’s expression became -momentarily more and more disapproving. Once or twice the captain -uttered a dry “Huh!” or gestured impatience, but he heard Toby through. -Then, however, he broke out with force and emphasis. Toby, backed up -against the long hatrack, was aware of the curious looks bent on him by -those who passed, and even read sympathy in some glances. Doubtless -Beech’s attitude looked rather threatening! - -“You poor fish!” said the captain pityingly. “Hasn’t any one ever -told you about duty? What do you think you are, anyway? A――a real, -sure-enough Person? You’re not, Tucker my lad, you’re just a simple -little cog in the Wheel of Progress. You’re not at all important as an -individual. You’re merely an entity. Now――――” - -“Hold on! I’m not sure I ought to let you call me that!” - -“Shut up! I’ll call you worse in a minute, maybe a microbe or a -protoplasm. Look here, Tucker, joking aside, you can’t do this, you -know. Every fellow has a duty to the School――――” - -“I know, and every fellow has a duty to himself, Beech. I need that -scholarship――――” - -“Get it! I’m not objecting, my son! But don’t throw the team down to -do it. Shucks, you can play football for a month or six weeks longer -without losing the scholarship! Come on, Tucker, don’t be a worm!” - -“But――but what difference does it make?” pleaded Toby. “I’m no football -wonder. You’ve got half a dozen fellows to fill in for me. It isn’t -like I was any account, Beech!” - -“What are you doing? Fishing for compliments? Come on and quit your -kidding! Do you suppose Burtis would have put you with the quarters if -he hadn’t seen that you had the stuff in you?” - -“But I haven’t! I can’t play quarter-back for a cent, Beech, honest! -Besides, there’s Frick and Rawson and Stair――――” - -“Listen, Tucker, I know who we’ve got just as well as you do. Those -fellows are all right, but not one of them has any better chance of -copping the job than you have. And we want the best fellow to get it. -So you come on back to-morrow, Tucker my lad, and be properly ashamed -of yourself. And don’t let’s have any more talk about scholarships and -things. If you can’t play a little football and keep your end up in -classes you’re less of a man than I thought you were. And that’s that!” - -“Well, I’ll see,” answered Toby dubiously. “It’s all well enough――――” - -“You’ll see nothing,” said Beech sternly. “You’ll be on the field -to-morrow at three-fifteen dressed to play. By the way, where’d you get -hold of that chap Tubbs?” - -“Why, I just happened to run across him. He was having sort of a poor -time of it and I thought if I could get him interested in something he -might pull himself together.” Toby was rather apologetic. “He didn’t -want to do it and I was afraid he wouldn’t stick it long.” - -“How do you mean, wouldn’t stick it?” - -“Why, he’s quit, hasn’t he? He told me Saturday he was going to.” - -“He was out to-day all right. Shucks, he isn’t going to quit. He’s -stringing you. He’s liking it well enough now, and unless I miss my -guess he’s going to make a few of our bunch sit up and take notice. The -boy’s a natural-born end! Well, see you to-morrow, old man. So long!” - -George Tubb a “natural-born end”! Toby forgot for the moment the -complication just introduced into his own affairs in surprise over -Beech’s appraisal of Tubb. That the latter would make good on the -gridiron Toby had never for an instant believed. He had only hoped that -the dissatisfied youth would find in football a new and sufficient -interest to reconcile him to the school and, perhaps, a means of making -friends. Well, he was certainly quite as pleased as he was surprised! -In view of what Beech had just told him, however, he wondered why -Tubb had threatened only two days ago to quit; and, still wondering, -he kept on to the third floor instead of stopping at the second and -knocked at the door of Number 31. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -TOM FANNING, OPTIMIST - - -Only Horace Ramsey was at home when Toby entered Number 31. Ramsey -appeared very glad to see the visitor, and he was quite fussed-up -during the process of getting Toby comfortably seated. The room was -one of the better ones on the third floor, and one of the occupants, -probably Ramsey, had added to the scanty equipment supplied by the -school. Although the evening had turned decidedly cool, both windows -were wide open, and it was not until Toby had glanced at them a bit -uneasily several times that Ramsey took the hint. - -“It is sort of cold in here, I guess,” he said, as he closed the -windows. “I’m used to a cold room, though. Plenty of fresh air is what -I like. Mr. Bendix says you can’t have too much of it. George doesn’t -like it much, though, and we scrap a good deal about having the windows -open.” - -“George? Oh, you mean Tubb. How are you and he getting on now? Hitting -it off any better?” - -Horace Ramsey smiled. “Oh, yes, we get on all right. He’s a cranky -chap, though. I have to handle him carefully. He gets the most awful -grouches you ever saw. Gets positively ugly and hates himself. Still, -he’s been some better the last few days.” Ramsey chuckled. “Guess I -have, too. At first I used to let go of my temper and――well, you found -us at it one night. Remember? Now I just let him growl and he gets over -it after a bit. He’s really not a bad sort when you get to know him.” - -“I thought I might find him in,” explained Toby. Then a faint -expression of disappointment on the other’s face made him add: “And -then I wanted to see how you were getting on, too, Ramsey. You’re -looking pretty fit. Been playing much tennis?” - -“Every day. A fellow named Lingard, a Fourth Class fellow, and I have -been at it a lot. Don’t know if you know him, Tucker. Sort of a lanky -chap, with――――” - -“Yes, I know Tommy. Didn’t know he was a tennis player, though.” - -“He isn’t,” laughed Ramsey. “At least, not much of one. But neither -am I just now, and I sort of like to play with a chap I can lick now -and then. Maybe it isn’t good practice, though. There’s a fellow -named Colcord who gave me a couple of sets this afternoon. He’s pretty -good at it. Beat me both sets, 6 to 3. I’d like to take you on again, -Tucker. I guess I could give you a better fight now that I’ve had some -practice. Mr. Bendix says it’ll take several weeks to get my muscles -loosened up.” - -“I dare say. Had much trouble with your heart lately?” - -“N-no, very little. I get out of breath pretty easily, but Mr. Bendix -says that’s because I’m carrying too much weight. Maybe my heart’s all -right after all, just as he says it is. He sort of――what I mean is, you -can’t help believing what he says, can you? He’s supposed to know a -lot about physical training and――and all that, isn’t he?” Toby nodded -assent. “I like him a lot, anyway, and I’m doing just what he tells me, -even to nearly freezing in here with the windows open.” - -Toby laughed. “Thought you said you were used to cold rooms, Ramsey!” - -“Well, I――I meant I was getting used to them,” answered the other, -grinning. - -“Tubb is still with the Second Team, I hear,” said Toby. - -“Yes. That reminds me! He was quite excited this afternoon because you -weren’t on the field. Don’t know what business it is of his, but he -kept chewing the rag about it.” - -“No, I――I cut practice to-day. Fact is, I――――” Then he stopped. He had -been about to add that he was through with football for the season, but -he suddenly realized that it wasn’t true, that to-morrow would find him -back again. “How’s Tubb getting on?” he asked instead. - -“Oh, pretty well, I guess. He hasn’t said so, but when he doesn’t growl -about a thing I know it’s all right. Last week he kept telling how hard -they made him work and saying he was going to quit, but he’s shut up -about it lately.” - -A few minutes afterward, going down to the floor below, Toby shook -his head dubiously. “It’s funny the way I make up my mind to things -lately without knowing it. When I went upstairs I thought I was going -to be firm with Beech and stay out of it. Then, first thing I knew, I’d -decided to keep on! Wonder if there’s something wrong with my bean!” - -Back in Number 12, Toby found a scrawl from Arnold bidding him follow -to Frank’s room in Clarke, but he crumpled it up and, after a moment’s -reflection, dropped it in the waste-basket and settled himself at -the table. He got in some good licks of study that evening and was -annoyingly superior and virtuous when Arnold returned at bedtime. - -The next afternoon Toby took his togs back to the gymnasium. -Fortunately, although he had given up his locker, no one had secured -it. If Coach Burtis knew of his defection the day before he made no -sign. Grover Beech, however, nodded commendingly, and, or so Toby -thought, Roy Frick, at present the most promising of the quarter-backs, -viewed his return with a noticeable lack of cordiality. For several -afternoons Toby toiled and drudged willingly and contentedly. Mr. -Burtis was allowing but three scrimmages a week, and in none of them -did Toby appear. The fact puzzled the boy considerably, but he kept -his puzzlement to himself. Even Bird, who could not be considered -first-class quarter-back material by any stretch of imagination, got -in for a few minutes in each practice game. Toby invariably retired -to the bench when the line-up came and, blanket-swathed, watched and -wondered throughout the ten or fifteen minute periods. On one such -occasion he found a seat beside George Tubb. He and George had met -and spoken before, but only briefly. To-day Toby viewed George with -real surprise. Seen at close quarters, the younger fellow showed the -results of a week of football work very plainly. He had a much better -color, looked several pounds thinner――and considerably harder――and had -lost some of the discontent usually so eloquently expressed by his -countenance. But there was plenty of the old George W. Tubb left, as -Toby soon discovered. - -“They’ve got me playing end,” said George. “It’s a rotten position. I -told that big guy with the swelled head that I wanted――――” - -“Meaning the coach?” asked Toby. - -“Sure! I told him I was a half-back, but he thinks he knows it all.” - -“Too bad,” commented Toby innocently, “because, of course, a fellow -can’t do good work out of his right position. I suppose you’re making -rather a mess of end, Tubb.” - -“Who says that?” demanded George, with a scowl. - -“Why, no one. I just thought, from what you said――――” - -“Well, I guess I’m doing as well as Connell; and he’s been playing two -years at it. But this business doesn’t get a fellow anywhere. What’s it -amount to, anyway? They say we’ll play a couple of dozen games with -the First and run up against two or three bum teams around here, and -then it’s all over, and the First Team gets the glory. Maybe I’ll stick -it out awhile longer, but life’s too short to spend a month and a half -at this sort of stuff.” - -He glanced sidewise at Toby as he finished, and Toby caught the glance -and understood. George had no intention of quitting, and never had had -since the first day! What he wanted was Toby to ask him not to! Toby -suppressed a smile. - -“I wouldn’t do that, Tubb,” he said earnestly. “I――I wish you wouldn’t. -You see, I have a hunch that you’ve got in you to make a pretty good -player, and――well, I wish you’d give yourself a fair chance. As a favor -to me, Tubb, I wish you’d try to stick it out.” - -George growled and scowled, but Toby didn’t miss the look of -satisfaction that flickered for an instant in his eyes. After a moment -of weighty hesitation George sighed wearily. “Well, I guess another -week or two won’t hurt me,” he said ungraciously. “I’ll stick around -until I get Connell’s number, anyway. You got me into this, Tucker, -and――――” George stopped abruptly, leaped to his feet and dropped his -blanket. “I’ve got to go in! See you later!” - -Then he legged it to where Coach Burtis was beckoning, leaving Toby -grinning broadly. “He’s just the biggest kind of a kid,” thought Toby. -“Wants friendship and hasn’t the slightest idea how to get it!” - -But if Toby was allowed no opportunity to achieve glory that week, -at least none begrudged him hard work. He was allowed to labor to -his heart’s content. Nay, he was urged to! Coach Burtis seemed to be -distinctly unhappy if Toby happened on a moment’s idleness during -practice time, and he or Captain Beech was forever at hand to suggest -a new activity. Toby got to hate the tackling dummy with a deep and -bitter hatred. He told Arnold he couldn’t enjoy his meals any longer -because his mouth was always filled with dirt. Arnold advised him to -close his mouth when he did his tackling. - -For the First Team, on which Arnold was alternating with Bates at -right half-back, life had become real and earnest. Coach Lyle had made -a wholesale cut in the squad and fellows who were “up” in football -affairs professed themselves already able to tell you what the line-up -would be in the final game of the season with Broadwood. And a good -many did tell――if you’d listen. Frank Lamson was also trying for a -half-back position, but Frank’s chances were not considered brilliant. -At least, though, he survived the cut, and when, on Saturday, the team -played its second game, with Tyron School, Frank displaced Roover in -the last quarter and sent his stock up tremendously by a slashing -fourteen-yard run that netted Yardley’s last score. Toby saw the final -half of the game from the bleachers and yelled like a Comanche when -Frank fairly smashed his way through the Tyron backs and went over the -line near the corner of the field with two of the enemy clinging to -him like limpets. Yardley’s work showed the effect of a week’s hard -practice and some indication of promise. Teamwork was totally lacking, -however, and it was individual brilliancy that ran the score up to 29 -points. Curran, at quarter-back, and Noyes, who substituted for him, -handled the team well. On the whole, although Tyron had managed to -secure 6 points by two easy field-goals, Yardley Hall was satisfied -with her team’s showing, and felt that there was reason to expect a -successful season. As, however, October was still but a few days old, -the conclusion may have been a trifle premature. - -Captain Fanning, naturally optimistic, viewed the future very -cheerfully indeed that evening. He was a tall, fine-looking chap, was -Tom, and immensely popular. If he had any discernible fault it was -that popularity meant a little too much to him, that he was a bit too -dependent on the goodwill of his fellows. Criticism didn’t agree with -Tom. It didn’t make him angry, but it hurt his feelings. On the other -hand, praise was meat and drink to him, and if you wanted to hear him -purr you had only to stroke him. But every one liked him, the juniors -in Merle Hall, the First Class fellows in Dudley and the faculty -members as well. And he was a really remarkable football player, as -he had proved last season. His more ardent admirers went so far as to -believe that so long as Tom Fanning played left tackle it didn’t matter -much who else was on that side of center. Like most brilliant players, -though, he was better offensively than defensively. As a captain Tom -had yet to be proved, for neither personal popularity nor individual -ability necessarily insures leadership. Tom believed very thoroughly in -himself, however, and if any one held doubts as to his fitness for the -captaincy that person was not Tom. - -To-night, tilted back in a chair against Toby’s bed, his long legs -stretched before him, his hands in his trousers pockets, and a -contented smile on his good-looking countenance, Tom was doing his own -stroking. “Really, Arnold,” he was saying, “we’ve got a ripping lot -of fellows this year, now haven’t we? Take the line from end to end, -you can’t beat it! I don’t care whether Candee or Orlie Simpson plays -center or whether Jim Rose or Twining plays left guard. Any way you -look at it it’s a corking line. That’s the beauty of having really good -substitutes. As for the back-field, why, with you and Larry and Roover -and Curran――or Noyes, for that matter――there won’t be a better one in -this corner of the world this fall!” - -“Say, Tom, how do you get that way?” asked Arnold, who was struggling -into a clean collar. “The team’s all right, old dear, but we haven’t -won the Broadwood game quite yet. To listen to you a fellow would think -we’d just hung the ball in the Trophy Room!” - -Tom laughed good-naturedly. “Well, I’ve picked out a place for it, Arn! -Oh, we’ll have our little setbacks and we’ll lose a game or two one way -or another, but that isn’t troubling me any. Why――――” - -“All right, but don’t talk like that so the fellows can hear you,” -protested Arnold, more than half serious. “The worst thing that can -happen to a team is for it to get the happy, confident feeling. -Just as soon as it does it gets a silly grin on its face――or faces, -rather――and dies in its tracks. I’d like it better if you’d cultivate a -fine grouch, Tom.” - -“Maybe I shall later, but you can’t make me grouchy to-night. I tell -you, Arn, we showed what we had to-day. Take the team as it played this -afternoon and teach it to work together and you’ve got a real machine, -son. And Broadwood’ll know it some day!” - -“I know. We have got some good players, and that’s no dream, but just -at present it’s too much of an all-star aggregation to make a hit with -me. There’s a heap of work ahead of us, old dear, before we get to be a -real football team, and don’t you forget that for a little minute!” - -“Oh, you’re a regular Calamity Jane,” jeered Tom. “Come on, or we’ll be -late. Where’s Tucker? Isn’t he coming?” - -“Yes, he will be here in a minute, I guess. And Frank’s going, too.” - -“Lamson?” Tom’s brow clouded for an instant. “Say, Arn, he made a nifty -touchdown to-day, didn’t he?” - -“I thought so. But you needn’t cry about it.” - -“I’m not. I was only wondering――You know, to my mind, Morris Roover’s -the right chap there, Arn. Now suppose Lamson keeps on as he did this -afternoon, eh?” - -“Why, he will get the place, won’t he? You want the best man there, -don’t you?” - -“Rather! But Roover’s tried pretty hard for it. I mean, I’d be sorry -if he lost out. He had hard luck last fall, you know. Got sick in the -middle of the season and didn’t even get his letter. I suppose he’s -hoping to make good this year.” - -“What of it? He’s got another year after this. The trouble with you, -Tom, is that you can’t forget your friendships on the gridiron. It -won’t do, believe me. Friendship ceases at three-fifteen, or it ought -to, when you’re captain. If it wasn’t for Mr. Lyle you’d have Sim -Clarke playing end and Snow at guard and――and all the rest of your -cronies――including me――on the team, and it would be a bum outfit. -Friendship’s no good when it comes to picking a team, Tom.” - -“Nonsense!” retorted the other. He didn’t seem displeased, though. “Of -course I’d like to have my friends on the team; any fellow would; but -they won’t get any favoritism from me.” - -“Oh, no, none at all!” answered Arnold, buttoning his vest. “Look -here, old dear, if I ever suspect that you’re trying to put me across -because I’m a friend I’ll quit the team cold!” - -“Oh, rot! You know perfectly well that you and Bates are the best we -have for the position, and as far as I’m concerned I don’t care which -of you gets it.” - -“Stick to that and all will be well! What time have you got? I wonder -what’s happened to Frank and――――” - -Toby’s appearance interrupted him and a minute later they were on their -way, picking up Frank Lamson outside. They were going to the movies in -Greenburg, the larger town across the river. There was a small moving -picture theater in Wissining, no more than half a mile from school, -that was well patronized by Yardley, but in Greenburg there were three -of them to choose from, and to-night the boys had secured leave for the -whole evening and so had plenty of time to make the longer journey. -Besides, at Greenburg you got two pictures and listened to real music -from an organ, while at the local house your entertainment was over in -an hour and the piano was very tin-panny. Tom Fanning ranged beside -Toby on the way down the hill and Arnold and Frank followed. Tom was -still full of football and optimism, and Toby heard a good deal about -the team’s wonderful prospects and didn’t have to do any of the -talking. By the time the bridge was reached, however, Tom had worked -off some of his enthusiasm and inquired about Toby’s fortunes. - -“Arn says he finally persuaded you to try for the Second,” he said. -“Like it?” - -“Yes, I like it very well,” answered Toby. “Only I can’t seem to take -it as seriously as most of the fellows. Ought I to, Fanning? What I -mean is, just how important is playing football on the Second Team? I -wanted to quit last week and Arnold had a fit and Grover Beech read the -riot act to me. I thought football, especially Second Team football, -was a lark, but I’m beginning to think that it’s not!” - -“Well, I suppose we do take football rather too seriously,” replied Tom -leniently. “But, hang it, Tucker, if you’re going to do a thing why not -do it well? Why not put your whole heart into it? Of course, the Second -Team isn’t as important as the First, but it’s just as well for the -fellows who play on it to think it is. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t -work so hard and we wouldn’t turn out such a good Second Team. And, -after all, a good Second is important, because it gives us practice.” - -“When do you begin playing us?” asked Toby. - -“Next week. Tuesday, probably. What are you trying for?” - -“Quarter. Sounds conceited, doesn’t it?” - -“Not a bit! Why? A quarter-back isn’t any better than a guard or an -end, is he? It takes just as much ability to play one position well as -it does another.” - -“Y-yes, I suppose so, but――it seems to me a fellow’s got to know a -whole lot in order to run the team right.” - -“Oh, yes, he has. But it comes down to knowing a few plays and when -to call for them, and remembering your signals. After all, it’s the -captain that’s the general. Half the time a quarter doesn’t get much -chance to boss the thing. The coach maps the game out beforehand, the -captain holds the reins and the quarter-back does the yelling.” Tom -laughed. “Anyway, that’s pretty close to it, Tucker.” - -“That doesn’t sound so bad,” Toby said in relieved tones. “I was sort -of scared, you see; thought I might have to run the whole business if -I happened to get put in some time. I’d make rather a mess of it if I -did, I guess!” - -“Not you, Tucker. You’re rather the type to make good, I’d say. I hope -you get the place.” - -“Thanks,” answered Toby, dubiously. “You mean kindly, no doubt, but I -guess I’d just as lief some one else got it. Frick has it now and I -dare say he will keep it. He will so far as I’m concerned!” - -“You don’t seem to have a very high notion of your ability,” laughed -Tom. “Don’t be too humble, Tucker, or folks will begin to think the way -you talk. And, look here, there’ll be a chance for you on the First -next year, for both Curran and Noyes will be gone, and the rest of the -lot aren’t very promising. So just you keep going, Tucker.” - -“Oh, I’ll keep going all right,” replied Toby sadly. “They won’t let me -do anything else. They’re always picking on me.” - -“Who?” - -“Mr. Burtis and Beech. They sit up together until daylight finding -stunts for me to do the next day!” - -“Sounds to me,” said Tom thoughtfully, “as if you were better than you -make yourself out, old man. Or else you imagine things.” - -“Let’s say the last guess is right,” laughed Toby. - -They visited two theaters before they found one whose bill promised -the sort of entertainment they wanted, and found seats just before the -house darkened. During the announcement of coming attractions some one -tapped Toby on the shoulder and he looked around in the half-gloom and -saw Horace Ramsey seated behind him in company with George Tubb. Horace -was evidently pleased when Toby recognized him and spoke to him, but -George’s only response to Toby’s whispered greeting was a nod and a -scowl. - -Going homeward, two hours later, the quartet grew to a round dozen -as other Yardley boys joined it, and Arnold observed that maybe it -was just as well there were plenty of them as the “town thugs,” as he -called them, had been getting “fresh” lately. “Casement and another -chap were coming back the other night and got into a fine old scrap -with a gang of the toughs,” he explained. “They had to beat it finally. -Loring got a beautiful black eye out of it. He says there were four of -them against him and the other chap. Hence the retreat.” - -“That’s something new, isn’t it?” asked a boy on the other side of -Arnold. “We never used to have any trouble with the town fellows.” - -“They’re chaps from the new mill they built last year, I believe. -Rather a tough lot, I guess. They’ll get all they want, though, if they -keep on. Wouldn’t be a bad thing for some of them to turn up now and -try to start something,” Arnold chuckled. “They won’t, though, when -they see the size of our party.” And, although their progress out of -Greenburg was anything but quiet, none disputed their way. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -FIRST TEAM VS. SECOND - - -The Second Team started its training table Monday. The First had done -so a week earlier. The tables, each accommodating eighteen persons, -occupied the two farther corners of the dining-hall. That of the First -Team was given a certain degree of privacy by two oak screens similar -to the one that stood before the door leading to the pantry, but the -Second Team consumed its meals in full view of the world. Joining -the training table, Toby discovered, added no luxuries to your menu. -Rather, it did quite otherwise, for pastry and puddings, save for one -or two very simple concoctions, were sternly barred. You got rather -more beef and lamb――too underdone to please Toby――and eggs were a drug -on the market. Potatoes were served sparingly and only in the baked -condition. On the whole, there was a notable monotony to the training -table fare, but as the fellows were generally extremely hungry that -didn’t trouble them greatly. - -Toby’s presence at the Second Team board was somewhat of a surprise to -Toby, since, as there were places for only seventeen players,――Coach -Burtis sat at the head of the table,――it seemed to him that he was -displacing more deserving talent. Why he should be there and Stair and -Bird not there, was a conundrum, a conundrum that was partly answered -for him that Monday afternoon. - -“You’re on B Team, Tucker,” announced Mr. Burtis when, at four o’clock, -the players were called back to the bench. “Show me what you’ve learned -the last week. You’ll have Lippman at half and I want you to use him -whenever you can. Play him hard. He will stand it. And don’t neglect -your kicking game just because your punters aren’t the best. The only -way for them to learn is to have it to do. Keep to simple plays; B Team -doesn’t know anything complicated; and speed it up all you know how.” - -“Y-yes, sir,” agreed Toby. Then he shed his blanket and wondered -whether he had learned anything the last week, and if he had what it -was! However, it wouldn’t do to let either the coach or the players -guess the trepidation he felt, and so he pulled on his head-guard -quite snappily and limbered up his legs, as, he judged, was the -approved thing to do, and looked as smiling and care-free as possible. -Then the two teams trotted out, A with the ball, and Gyp blew a whistle -and his troubles had begun. - -But, after all, the troubles weren’t so many, nor so formidable. He -made mistakes, and he shared in a perfectly ghastly fumble on A’s -twenty-six yards, and twice he got his signals so badly mixed that -the whole team howled at him. But, on the other hand, he put vim into -his fellows and followed the coach’s directions regarding Lippman and -the kicking game and the use of simple plays, and before the period -had ended he had the exquisite pleasure of watching the pigskin skin -the enemy’s cross-bar for a three-point tally. He could have wept -tears of joy on Crawford’s neck for that thirty-yard drop-kick, and A -Team’s sullen resentment was an added delight. But B had to pay for -her cheekiness. Already A had scored a touchdown, and now, bitterly -resentful, she set to work to wreak vengeance. And she did it finally, -for three long runs by Nelson and White took the ball back to B’s -thirty-five yards and White plugged along for another down through -a crumbling right side in spite of Toby’s shrill exhortations, and -Stover banged into Sid Creel, at center, and piled through to the -eighteen. Toby was very glad when time was called for Sid’s recovery, -for B was on the run and becoming more disorganized each moment. He -spent a precious two minutes ranging the line and “talking Dutch,” and -when Sid, looking vague and dizzy, shuffled into his position again -there was a perceptible stiffening of the defense. But it couldn’t -last against A’s battering-ram tactics, and presently it was crumbling -again. Short gains but steady, and B was on her last white line, and it -was second down and every one was shouting or grunting. Toby gritted -his teeth and danced about and hurled defiance across the bent backs -before him, all the time trying with the intensity of despair to -guess the play that was coming. He did guess, but he guessed wrong, -and Nelson shot unexpectedly outside right tackle, straight for the -center of the goal, and the only satisfaction Toby got was in sitting -on Nelson’s head after he had been pulled down by Crawford. Bowen -grinned miserably, and every B Team fellow was very, very careful not -so much as to look at him; for Bowen was right tackle and had been most -ingloriously eliminated. After that the horn squawked and the half was -over. - -Toby and several others who had played through the whole twelve minutes -were dismissed to the showers, although all would have preferred -staying and watching the second half. Instead, they argued hotly -all the way up to the gymnasium――the two teams being very equally -represented――and still argued, though with diminished heat, while -the showers hissed. Toby was secretly rather well satisfied with his -performance that afternoon until, later, he learned that B Team, under -Roy Frick’s generalship, had actually scored a touchdown in the last -period of play! - -On Tuesday, after a half-hour of light practice, the Second trotted -over to the First Team field and, before a large and interested -audience, was badly mauled and beaten. Frick and Rawson played quarter -through two twelve-minute halves, and Toby and Stair――Bird, it seemed, -had retired to private life――sat on the bench and watched and worried, -trying to believe that things would have gone no better for the Second -if they had taken part. Second used most of her substitutes in a vain -effort to stave off, not defeat, for that was inevitable, but dishonor, -and could make nothing of it. First Team piled up the scores with -a merciless and monotonous succession and the audience yawned and -drifted away. - -“What’s that?” asked Lou Stair drearily. “Twenty-three?” - -“Twenty-six,” answered Toby glumly. - -“Gee-jiminy-gosh!” groaned Stair. “Say, what’s the matter with the -Second, anyway? What’s got into ’em, Tucker! Look at Smith, will you? -Why doesn’t he get down? Why doesn’t Frick get after him? He thinks -he’s a skyscraper! And there goes Dawson off-side again! Gee, our bunch -is playing like sand-lot kids! Well, he got away with it, and that’s -something!” - -“What of it?” asked Toby dully. “We didn’t make enough to plant a row -of beans on! That’s third. White’ll have to punt.” - -“Yeah, as much as ten yards!” jeered Stair. “What’d I tell you? Guess -he’s got a friend on the side-line, the way he kicked the ball there! -Well, here’s where First scores again!” - -And presently First did that very thing, Toby’s gloom being slightly -relieved by the fact that it was Arnold who took the ball over by a -slashing run from the Second’s eighteen yards. Gloom enveloped the -whole blanketed line of watchers that second half, for they had been -doing a good deal of talking as to what was to happen to the First -Team when they tried conclusions. In fact, Second had even gone so far -as to hint that the real reason Coach Lyle hadn’t let his team face the -Second before was his fear of a disastrous defeat. Toby wondered how -Coach Burtis, pacing tranquilly to and fro along the side-line, his -hands buried in his trousers pockets, could maintain his expression of -unconcern in the face of such direful happenings! Toby would have felt -a heap better if Mr. Burtis had scowled or kicked at a pebble or shown -distress in some other manner. The coach’s unruffled demeanor seemed to -Toby to smack of treason! He was very glad when that farcical game came -to an end with a final score of 33 to 0. - -Second, fagged, disheveled, outraged, climbed a weary path to the -gymnasium, muttering threats of vengeance; hearing which Coach Burtis -smiled a secret smile of satisfaction. Toby felt quite disgraced until -the lapse of an hour or two brought a realization of the fact that such -things had happened before and would happen again, and that no one took -them very seriously. At supper Mr. Burtis ate quite as much as usual -and with as much enjoyment, and talked and jested in his accustomed -manner; which encouraged Toby to satisfy a really ravenous hunger. -After a steak and a baked potato and the usual trimmings he found that -he could view the afternoon’s Waterloo with equanimity. There was, he -reflected, another day coming! - -Wednesday found Toby learning A Team signals, his allegiance -transferred to that squad by order of the coach. In the scrimmage -Rawson led B Team and Toby adorned the bench until near the end of -the second half. Then Frick came out and Toby went in and received an -evil and portentous wink from Sid Creel. That wink said very plainly: -“You wait till I get at you, you renegade!” Just at first it was a bit -disconcerting to find himself slamming into his former teammates and -to realize that they not only no longer loved him but were eager to -grind his face in the earth and otherwise degrade him! Before the game -was over, though, he had very effectually forgotten the old ties and -was glorying in every foot of territory conquered by A Team. It was -remarkable what a healthy antagonism existed between the two squads. -Before the scrimmage they were all Second Team fellows, and afterwards, -in the locker-room, they fraternized nicely, but while the game lasted -they were enemies and aliens, and neither side asked quarter. Toby, -during a busy six or seven minutes of play that afternoon, was rather -rudely handled by his former comrades, and made his way up the hill -with a ruddy nose and several assorted contusions. But he had the -satisfaction of a touchdown and a brief word of commendation from Coach -Burtis; and nothing else much mattered. - -Thursday they went against the First again and, while they were once -more decisively trimmed, they made a far better showing. Toby got -in for the whole of the second half and, after recovering from a -bad attack of stage fright, gave a fairly good account of himself. -Toby wasn’t one to seek personal glory, and there were times when he -might have taken the ball himself and didn’t. He did get off one good -twenty-yard sprint with the pigskin clasped in the cradle of his elbow, -and got a hearty thump on his back from Arnold as he trotted by that -member of the enemy forces and a rousing acclaim from the stands. But -for the rest Toby stayed modestly in position, letting Nelson and White -and, less frequently, Stover, perform the back-field stunts――or try to. -First Team was fast rounding into a hard-working, aggressive, snappy -organization, and facing her was no child’s play. That the Second held -her to four scores that day, and credited herself with a field-goal, -speaks well for Coach Burtis’ charges. Second didn’t consider that she -had actually wiped out the stigma of Tuesday’s overwhelming defeat, but -she derived a lot of comfort from her showing, and White, whose capable -foot had secured that goal from the field, was a twenty-four hour hero. -It was even whispered that Coach Lyle had been seen looking hard at -White and that the latter’s transfer to the First Team was inevitable. -Which, while it may have brought pleasant anticipations to the Second -Team while full-back, filled the rest of the fellows with gloomy -forebodings. - -“That’s the way they do,” lamented Farquhar, the rangy left tackle. -“Just as soon as we get a fellow so’s he’s some use to us they nab him -for the First. What’s the use of that? If they want us to give ’em -good practice they ought to let us have some decent players. But they -don’t. Last year they swiped three of our fellows two weeks before the -Broadwood game. They make me very weary!” - -However, it seemed that Second’s fears might be groundless, for Friday -found White still with them, and he was still with them the following -day when the First went up against Forest Hill School. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -TEAM-MATES FALL OUT - - -It was a brute of a day, with a chilling, drizzling rain and a sodden, -sloppy field. Toby had been out of sorts since the moment of his -awakening to a dimly-lighted room and the sound of dripping eaves. He -had pecked at his breakfast, more than usually averse to the ruddiness -of his steak and willing to exchange a whole pitcher of milk for one -heartening cup of hot coffee. Recitations went badly. There was an -evident listlessness on the part of the students and a consequent lack -of sympathy on the part of the instructors. In Latin Toby made a horrid -mess of things, his brain having apparently forgotten to function, and -“Chawles,” as Mr. Coburn was known among the boys, became quite testy -and rendered a lengthy oration on the shortcomings of the class, which, -while intended for the entire assemblage, was aimed directly at Toby. -I mention these incidents that you may better understand what happened -in the afternoon when the Second Team stood rather morosely around in -the drizzle and waited for practice to start and Toby, hands rolled in -his sweater, glowered across to where the First Team was warming up for -the Forest Hill contest and damp but enthusiastic cheers arose from the -stands. It seemed to Toby that a whole lot of fellows, including T. -Tucker, were wasting the golden moments of life in vain pursuits. Could -Toby have chosen an occupation just then he would have been a bearded -and brawny pirate afloat on a tropic sea, a cutlass between his teeth -and an assortment of pistols thrust in his blood-red sash. Which shows -that Toby’s normally gentle and sane disposition had a bad kink in it -to-day. - -And at such an inopportune moment Roy Frick, whose disposition, unlike -Toby’s, was never worthy of being termed gentle, saw fit to make -himself obnoxious. In justice to Frick it should be explained that he -had an inherent dislike for the sensation of raindrops trickling down -the back of his neck, which sensation he was now having. Frick was -a sturdily-made, hard-muscled fellow of seventeen with a broad, not -ill-favored face. He was vain, arrogant and pugnacious, although there -were those who said that he liked to talk fight better than he liked -to fight. Perhaps in an effort to forget his misery, Frick had taken -a ball from the canvas sack in which they were brought to the field -and was passing with Lippman. Frick was behind Toby, but the latter -was dimly aware of what was going on, just as he was aware of the -late-comers, George Tubb among them, who were dawdling down from the -gymnasium. Once the pigskin, made slippery by the rain, escaped from -Frick and bobbed across the wet turf to where Toby stood, and Toby sent -it trickling back with a touch of his foot. Perhaps there was something -antagonistic in the brief, careless glance exchanged with Frick, for -Toby felt antagonistic to everything at the moment. In any case, Frick -doubtless resented that look, and a minute later the football collided -with a dull, damp thump against the back of Toby’s head. - -“Sorry!” called Frick grinning. “The ball’s slippery, Tucker.” - -Toby flushed, walked onto the gridiron, where the pigskin was wobbling -erratically about, and picked it up. Then, facing the longest stretch -of the field and trying to recall all he had learned of punting, he -swung his right foot against the dropping ball and was rewarded with -a very healthy-sounding thump. Such a performance in a game would -have won him applause, for the ball, in spite of its sodden condition, -arched toward the further corner of the field in a fine, long flight -and came to earth a full forty-five yards away. But there was no -applause on this occasion, unless the amused glances of those who -happened to see the feat could have been construed as applausive. Frick -came running, his face redder than Toby’s had been. - -“What’s the idea, Tucker?” he demanded threateningly. “You go and fetch -that now!” - -“Not likely,” answered Toby in a growl. - -“Yes, you will, or I’ll knock your red head off! You get it, do you -hear?” - -Toby’s face paled from red to white. “Yes, I hear,” he said in a -low and steady voice. He covered the distance of a scant yard that -separated them in one quick step. “I hear a lot I don’t take stock in, -Frick. I hear you’re a fighter, for instance!” - -Frick’s right arm went back, elbow crooked, hand clenched, and his -right foot moved back with it, but Toby didn’t wait. Instead, he -stepped suddenly forward with his own left foot and thrust shoulder and -flattened hand against Frick’s chest with the result that the latter -staggered back, failed to recover his balance and sat down hard. He was -up in an instant, his eyes blazing, silent, and just a bit doubtful. -And Toby, who had followed, stood ready. But, while a fight would have -been a welcome relief from boredom, the others interposed. Watson and -Farquhar and Sid Creel and several more got between the opponents with -words of caution and displeasure. - -“Cut it, you chumps!” said the big center, pushing Frick away. “Here -comes Mr. Burtis!” - -“What do I care?” cried Frick. “Think he’s going to knock me down and -get away with it? Let go of me, Ben, or I’ll――I’ll smash you! I will! -Take your hands――――” - -But Watson wouldn’t, and Farquhar was there too, soothing and -ridiculing, and every one had mixed in and the incident was perforce -closed. And lest Toby, who really seemed quite calm and peaceable, -should attempt to continue the discussion, Sid Creel and Stover stood -guard over him. And onto the scene strode Coach Burtis and Captain -Beech, suspicious but asking no questions, and every one strolled -casually somewhere else and looked very innocent. - -“What was the trouble?” whispered Sid Creel as he and Toby wandered -along the side-line. Toby related the incident in a few words, and Sid -observed him curiously. - -“Gee, you must have had a grouch,” he exclaimed wonderingly. “Never -knew you had a temper like that, Toby!” - -“Well, I have,” answered Toby dryly. “Of course, it was a silly thing -to do, but he had no business lamming me with that wet ball!” - -Sid grinned. “Well, it wasn’t his fault the ball was wet, was it?” he -asked. - -Toby managed a weak smile. “It’s his fault he will have to chase after -it,” he answered. - -But of course Frick didn’t have to do any such thing. There is always -some obliging person about in such an emergency, and it was young -Lovett, hopeful candidate for end position, who scurried off and -brought it back to an indignant Gyp. Then practice began and every one -had other things to think of for the succeeding hour. Now and again -Toby and Roy Frick encountered each other, on which occasions Frick -glowered or sneered and Toby pretended to have forgotten the other’s -existence. Toby was rather ashamed of himself by now and quite willing -to consider the affair closed. - -There was no scrimmage this afternoon, and at a little after four the -squad was dismissed. Taking only time enough to wrap themselves in -blankets, the Second hurried in a body across to the other gridiron and -won a ripple of laughter as they appeared like so many blue wraiths, -around the corner of the covered stand. It seemed like an accident, but -possibly wasn’t, that George Tubb scuttled into the seat next to Toby. - -“Guess that guy would have mopped the ground up with you if the fellows -hadn’t butted in,” observed George with one of his malicious grins. -“He’s a lot heavier than you, Tucker.” - -“I had a lucky escape then,” replied Toby. “Know what the score is -here?” - -“Nothing to nothing. Forest Hill’s too fast for those First Team yaps. -Say, I wish Frick would try to get gay with me some day! I don’t like -that blow-hard.” - -“Perhaps he will,” said Toby pleasantly. “At least, you can hope, Tubb.” - -George eyed him suspiciously. Toby’s tone had suggested that he viewed -the idea with favor. George grunted. “Well, if he ever does he will get -a lot more’n he expects,” he growled. “You ought to have handed him a -punch instead of just pushing him, Tucker. He’ll be after you the first -chance he gets. They say he’s a clever scrapper, too.” - -“Do they?” asked Toby indifferently. “Then there’ll probably be enough -left for you to tackle, Tubb.” - -The third period ended just then, and Toby’s gaze, turning away from -the players, encountered Tubb’s. For some reason Tubb colored, and then -blurted: “Say, you never came around to the room like you said you were -going to, Tucker. You’re getting sort of choosey, too, I suppose.” - -“I called last week, Tubb. You were out. Didn’t Ramsey tell you?” - -“Yes. I forgot. How’d you know I’d be out?” Again that objectionable -grin! Toby frowned. - -“I didn’t,” he said shortly. Then: “Can’t you ever be decent, Tubb?” he -asked. “This thing of always having a chip on your shoulder is a bit -tiresome.” - -“I haven’t any chip.” Tubb laughed a mixture of apology and defiance. -“I’ve got some――some pride, though! No fellow needs to know me if he -doesn’t want to!” - -“That goes without saying,” answered Toby dryly. - -George scowled darkly. “Well, it’s so. A lot of you guys with -wrist-watches make me tired! Gee, if――――” - -“I don’t happen to wear a wrist-watch, Tubb, and making you tired -is nothing in my young life,” said Toby wearily. “Let’s cut out the -love-pats. I’m not feeling awfully gay to-day. How do you like playing -end?” - -“All right,” replied George after a moment. “If Mr. Burtis wasn’t a -bonehead, though, he’d let me play half. I always have played half.” - -“Always?” asked Toby, idly, watching Snowden kick-off to Forest Hill. -“How long is ‘always’?” - -“Well, last year and some the year before. I was the best back on our -team, anyway!” - -“I didn’t know you had played so much. When I asked you――――” - -“Oh, well, you sounded so blamed patronizing,” growled George. - -“Didn’t mean to. I’m glad you stuck it out on the squad, Tubb. Beech -said the other day that――well, he seemed to think you were going to -make a pretty good end.” - -“Huh!” said George scornfully. “I could show him some real end playing -right now if he’d give me a chance! But he’s stuck on Mawson and -Connell.” In spite of his words, Toby got the idea that George was -nevertheless pleased by the compliment to his playing. “I suppose they -belong to the same Society Beech does!” - -“No, as a matter of fact, Tubb, Beech is Cambridge and Connell is -Oxford. I don’t know which Mawson is, but I don’t think it matters. I -wouldn’t make remarks of that sort if I were you. Fellows don’t like -them.” - -If Tubb made any reply Toby didn’t hear it, for Halliday had got -away around Forest Hill’s left and pulled down a long and desperate -forward-pass, and now he was streaking up the field with the ball and -the stand was on its feet, shouting and imploring. Halliday dodged the -first of the enemy and sped on. Then the Forest Hill quarter was on -him, there was a confusion of rolling bodies and Ted was free again -to go plunging on toward the nearing goal-line. The pursuit gained -but never quite reached him, and Ted at last subsided between the -posts. That was all the scoring done by either team, and shortly after -Captain Fanning had missed an easy goal the game ended. The visitors -considered, and not without reason, that they had virtually won the -honors of the day and departed cheering through the twilight drizzle. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -TOBY AT QUARTER - - -The outcome of the Forest Hill game was a favorite topic of discussion -during the next few days. Although Yardley had won in the last four -minutes, by means of a well-earned touchdown following a forward pass, -the general opinion was that the Blue had been largely outplayed by -a lighter but much faster eleven. Of course, reverses were to be -expected, but after Yardley’s showing in the Tyron game it did seem -that she should have done better against a “small school team” like -Forest Hill. On the other hand, the local football historians reminded -that some six seasons ago, Forest Hill had actually won from Yardley, 5 -to 3, and that it was no uncommon thing for the smaller school to score -against the Blue. - -Rumors of changes in the line-up spread, and it was whispered that all -was not serene between captain and coach. Arnold was decidedly glum -that Saturday evening, and, although the usual excursion to Greenburg -in search of moving picture thrills was made, he was no great addition -to the company. Afterwards, when they were preparing for bed, Toby told -him that he was foolish to let football worry him so. “Any one might -think you were captain of the eleven instead of Fanning,” said Toby. -“You act――――” - -“I wish I was――were――was――――” - -“‘Were’ will do. Why do you wish you was――were?” - -“Because I’d drop two or three of the ‘dead-ones’ and have a team -instead of a bunch of stars!” - -Toby weighed that in silence. Finally: “Who are the ‘dead-ones’?” he -asked. - -Arnold shook his head. “Guess I oughtn’t to talk about it,” he -muttered. “It’s not my business.” - -“Right you are! Just remember that. If it’s not your business, don’t -worry about it.” - -“That’s easy enough to say,” Arnold grumbled. After a moment he said -explosively, dropping a shoe to the floor in emphasis: “Why Mr. Lyle -doesn’t jump in and fire a couple of those fellows is what gets me! If -he hasn’t got the backbone to stand up against Tom he oughtn’t to be -coach.” - -“Oh, well, the season’s young yet,” answered Toby easily. “Maybe Mr. -Lyle is sort of ‘watchful waiting.’ I’m thinking of going to sleep. -When you get through holding your foot in your hand and making faces -you might put out the light. It works quite easily. You just turn the -thingumbob there. Don’t blow it out, please, because――――” - -“Because it might stop your chatter! All right. Good-night.” - -The rumored changes in the First Team line-up didn’t materialize, -however; at least not during the following week. Arnold reported that -things were going better and gave credit to Mr. Lyle, who, it seemed, -had delivered a few well-chosen words on Monday, before practice. “He’s -really got some of the loafers at work,” said Arnold. “Even Stone is -showing a little animation!” - -“Stone being one of the ‘dead-ones’?” - -“Well, he hasn’t looked very much alive until this week,” answered -Arnold. “I dare say we’ll get our gait by Saturday. They say Brown and -Young’s is a tough bunch of scrappers. I hope they are. We need to go -up against something that has a wallop!” - -“You did that very thing yesterday,” said Toby. - -“You’re not far off, at that,” agreed the other. “Your team put up a -mighty pretty scrap. If you’d been half as good on defense as you were -on attack――――” - -“Oh, well, I noticed that we held you fellows twice inside our thirty. -Hold your horses. We’ll be beating you badly by the end of the month!” - -“Rather fancy yourself, don’t you?” jeered Arnold. “By the way, was -that your friend Tubbs who played left end for you in the last half?” - -“Tubb is the gentleman’s name. What did you think of him?” - -“Why, he acted like a crazy Indian! He made me nervous looking at him, -and hearing him!” - -Toby laughed. “That’s his style, Arn. It’s psychological, you see. He -distracts the attention of the opponent from the game. All that jumping -and up and down and running around and talking is just to get your -goat!” - -“Well, he came near getting it, all right! He made as much row as a -Broadwood shortstop with the bases full and two down! But he seemed -to me to be playing a pretty good game, just the same. He was into -everything!” - -“Beech says he’s a comer, Arn. If he could only get over the idea that -he’s being imposed on by every one he’d get on a heap better.” - -“He’s a chronic sorehead and kicker, I suppose. I’ve met one or two -like him. Maybe he will get over it in time. How’s that other protégé -of yours, the tennis fiend?” - -“Ramsey? I don’t see much of him nowadays. But I know that he’s got in -with a fairly decent lot of chaps and looks about fifty per cent better -than he did. I told you about his freezing me one night when I went to -see him? Had both windows wide open and told me he couldn’t get along -without plenty of fresh air. Bet you anything he’d never slept with a -window open in his life until Muscles got at him! You know, I think I -can take a bit of credit for the――the rejuvenation of friend Ramsey!” - -“Well, that’s some word, but I dare say you’re right. Now all you’ve -got to do is make Mr. Tubbs over and you’re through.” - -“Tubb is a hard-boiled one, Arn, and I haven’t much hope of him. If -I liked him a bit better I suppose I’d take more interest in his -career――――” - -“I wish you’d stop talking like a blooming dictionary,” groaned Arnold. -“Now dry up and let me take a fall out of this math.” - -That week saw two changes in the Second Team. Sid Creel displaced -Watson at center and George Tubb was shifted from B Team to A. He and -Mawson were used impartially and in the four games that the Second -played against the First that week there appeared to be little choice -between them. The same could be as truthfully said of Toby and Roy -Frick. Sometimes one started the game and sometimes the other, but each -had an equal chance. Toby had his shortcomings and so did his rival, -Toby’s concerning individual play and Frick’s generalship. Or, perhaps, -leadership would be a better word to use. Somehow, or so it seemed -to those whose business it was to note such things, the Second Team -showed more life and aggressiveness when Toby’s shrill voice called -the signals. For Toby’s voice _was_ shrill when he played quarter, -though at other times it was an ordinary tenor of middle register, with -a pleasant touch of Long Island fog in it. But that first day, when -unexpectedly called on to act as quarter-back, Toby’s nervousness had -sent his voice several notes up the scale, and for some reason it had -never come down again so long as he was giving signals. Arnold likened -it to the yelping of a fox terrier one day, and on the next occasion -Toby tried hard to bring it back to normal, with the result that it -sounded as hoarse as a frog with a bad cold, and no one could hear him! - -But at individual playing of the position, Roy Frick was better. Frick -was a tricky runner and frequently squirmed outside tackles for needed -gains. And he was a dependable punter. Possibly Toby would have showed -up better beside Frick at this time if he had had more faith in his own -ability, but he was chary of trusting to his own efforts to advance the -ball. On catching punts and running them in, he was not much behind his -rival, and at punting he was fast catching up with him. But there was -no doubt that from the spectator’s point of view Frick was the man for -the job. - -There had been no resumption of hostilities between the two. Toby was -willing to forgive and forget, although he secretly disliked Frick for -the latter’s overbearing manner. For his part, Frick had evidently -neither forgiven nor forgotten, but he seemed satisfied to let the -matter rest as it was. Toby had an idea that the other frequently -ridiculed his playing, for sometimes he caught looks of stifled -amusement on the faces of Frick’s cronies. As, however, they were -seldom on the bench at the same time and, being in different classes -and having different circles of friends, scarcely ever encountered each -other off the football field, there was little chance for a clash. At -training table Frick sat four places from Toby on the same side of the -board; and, anyway, at table personal animosities would not be allowed -to flourish. Save for an occasional Sunday, Coach Burtis was always in -his place at the head, and he had a watchful eye and a careful ear. - -On Friday, contrary to custom, the Second Team was led across to the -other gridiron for a twelve-minute bout with the First. The First had -not pleased Coach Lyle since the Forest Hill game, and the morrow’s -contest, with Brown and Young’s School would demand all the Blue had. -Toby was sent in at quarter. He noted two changes in the First Team’s -line. Casement was playing right guard in place of Snow and Candee was -at center in Simpson’s stead. Coach Burtis had instructed him to give -the First’s center and right side the brunt of the line attack, and -Toby understood now that the substitutes there were to be put to the -test. He wondered if either of them suspected and whether their own -coach had instigated the ordeal. He felt a bit sorry for Snow, who was -rather light for a guard, and hoped he wouldn’t get used too roughly. - -There was no kick-off to-day. Instead, Second was given the ball -in the middle of the field. Coaches and trainers hovered about -like hawks around a chicken yard, and there was much exhorting and -last-moment instructing. First Team had been keyed up to the minute, -and faces showed strain and poised bodies tension. Toby had Nelson, -Lippman, and Crawford behind him, and it was Lippman he chose for -that first attack. His voice yelped, Farquhar, left tackle, trotted -over to the right of the line, the signal came, and Lippman, seizing -the ball at a hand-pass, smashed ahead. Crawford and Toby piled in -behind. The First Team line buckled and snapped back again. Jim Rose, -big and pink-cheeked, roared defiance. “Second down! Nine!” shouted -the referee. Toby grabbed an arm and pulled Lippman out of the pile. -Already he was shouting new signals. Again Farquhar shifted, again -Lippman took the pass. But this time he shot obliquely to the left, -the whole back-field behind him, and plunged at Snow. Through he went, -fighting, squirming, turning! two yards――three――four――Then the rout was -stayed. A faint “Down” and the blowing of the whistle came together. -Toby arose from some one’s unquiet legs and added another note to his -voice: - -“That’s the stuff, Second! That’s working! Come on, now! Let’s get ’em -again! Signal!” - -“Five to go!” cried the referee, skipping away. - -“Hold that side! Hold that side!” shouted Fanning. - -“That was on you, Snow!” Mr. Lyle’s voice was ice-cold. “Don’t let them -do it again!” - -“Come on, Yardley! Throw ’em back!” called Curran, up-field. “Watch for -a forward, there, Ted!” - -Again Second smashed at the First’s right guard and center, and again -the latter yielded. But Crawford had made only a yard and a half, and -now it was fourth down and the forty-yard line was still a good ten -feet distant. Grover Beech pulled Toby’s head down and whispered, and -Toby gave back a doubtful glance. But Beech’s word was law so long -as it didn’t transgress the coach’s instructions, and Toby yielded. -“Farquhar back!” he called. “Hold that line, Second!” Farquhar trotted -to a kicking position and Nelson slipped into the line. First scented -a fake, but covered her field nevertheless. Then the ball shot back to -Lippman and he set out around his end, Toby leading. For a moment the -play looked good, for First had drawn her back-field away, but Sanford -eluded Connell and sent Toby sprawling and Roover got Lippman two -yards short of the distance. - -First made two at the Second’s left and then kicked. Crawford misjudged -the ball badly on his twenty-five yards and it went over his head. Toby -fell on it on his fifteen, and two First Team men fell on him. Second -plugged the center again for two, and again for one. Then, on a delayed -pass, Crawford squirmed through Snow for eight yards and first down. -What a scolding there was then! Coach Lyle fairly raised welts. Some -one called for time, and Toby, still short of breath from being sat on -by the First Team ends, was very glad. Beech led him back. - -“Watch Stone,” he said. “He’s coming away in on those plays. Slip one -through outside him, Tucker. There’s a fine hole there!” - -Toby nodded. “Got to bang the center, though, Beech. Coach’s orders. -I’ll try it, though, first time they tighten.” - -Toby shifted his line to the left, and First massed to meet the attack. -Lippman failed at center, Candee standing like a rock. On a fake-kick, -Crawford struck the line hard, but made less than a yard. Crawford -gained three through Snow. Farquhar dropped back and Lippman dashed -outside Stone and reeled off six yards before he was stopped. With one -to go on fourth down, Toby elected to punt, and Farquhar dropped the -pigskin on the First’s thirty-yard line. Roover brought it back to near -the center of the field before Beech pulled him down. - -First worked a neat forward-pass that netted seventeen yards and then -smashed through center for five more. Second held twice and First -booted over the line. On the twenty-five Toby returned to the attack on -Snow and Candee and gained six in three downs. A fake-kick resulted in -a fumble and the pigskin went to First on the opponent’s twenty-two. -There was no holding the First Team then and she scored in seven plays, -Snowden landing the ball near the corner of the field. The punt-out was -not allowed and the teams went back to the fifty. Coach Lyle took pity -on Snow and that much-mauled youth was removed in favor of Casement. -For the Second, Stover and White came on for Lippman and Crawford, -and George Tubb for Mawson. Again the kick-off was barred and Second -given the ball. Toby tried the new right guard with no gain, got Stover -around left for three, failed once more at center and himself punted to -First’s twenty. First kicked on second down, Snowden getting nearly -fifty yards. Stover caught and dodged back for ten. From the forty, -Tubb swung around back and gained midfield on a fine run around the -enemy’s left end. Then Toby fumbled and Rose captured the ball for the -First. Another forward pass, Curran to Halliday, took the First to the -Second’s twenty-four, and from there the First battered her way across -for the second score. Before she got it, however, Toby retired groggily -and Frick took his place. Toby had ill-advisedly allowed Snowden to sit -on his stomach. Frick’s labor was soon over, however, for the First -Team’s second touchdown practically ended the game. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -THE “TOUGH BUNCH” - - -No one seemed satisfied with the day’s performance. The First resented -the enemy’s gains through their line and the Second declared stoutly -that if they had been taught a decent defense against forward-passes -the First would never have scored. Arnold told Toby later that Coach -Lyle had read the riot act afterwards. “I didn’t know he could be so -rude,” said Arnold sadly. - -“Why didn’t you get in to-day?” Toby asked from the window-seat where, -propped on many cushions, he looked pale and interesting. - -“Lyle wanted to give you fellows a show.” - -“Well, Bates didn’t do a whole lot,” said Toby. “You’re pretty punk, -Arn, but you’ve got it over him. Gee, if I hadn’t made that rotten -fumble on the fifty yards that time we might have held you fellows to a -measly six points!” - -“Yes, not! Son, that fumble of yours didn’t affect the game a mite. It -was forward-passing that beat you chaps. Your ends were no good at all. -Even your friend Mr. Tubb was fast asleep.” - -“I know. We’ve got no sort of a defense for forward-passes. I called -the turn on that second one, but Farquhar was away out of position and -Tubb let Roover get right by him. You wait another week, though! We’re -getting your measure, Arn! What about to-morrow? Are you going to play?” - -“Ask Mr. Lyle. I suppose I’ll get a show sometime, though. I sure want -to. They say Brown and Young’s are regular bearcats! What time is it -getting to be? I’m as hungry as the dickens. Let’s go!” - -The Second Team had no practice Saturday, which, for some of its -members, was fortunate, since the First had managed to deal very -harshly with them during the brief period of yesterday’s game. Toby, -although he had nothing to show in the way of scars, was tired and -lame when he crawled out of bed in the morning, and not until he had -shivered under a shower-bath, groaningly rubbed himself pink and done -two minutes of setting-up exercises in front of an open window which -admitted the frostly tingle of the October morning did the usual -feeling of well-being return. After that he was able to reach chapel -without protests from lame muscles and, later, do full justice to a -breakfast of cereal, eggs, toast, stewed fruit, and milk. - -Fortunately, on Saturday mornings recitations were few, for, save -during a brief midwinter period when outdoor sports were at a -standstill, preoccupation was always noticeable on the part of the -student body on that day of the week. Such a condition of mind was -especially evident this forenoon, due, probably, to the fact that -Yardley’s opponent in the afternoon had been heralded as a strong team -with a proclivity for “roughing it.” Yardley, as much as any school and -perhaps more than many, held for clean playing, but there was enough -of the “Old Adam” there to make a bit of scrapping interesting. Its -attitude was well explained by a remark made by Will Curran, the First -Team quarter, in front of Oxford between recitations. - -“If they’re mean players we’ll lick them,” said Curran. “I never saw a -team yet who could play dirty ball and win as long as the other fellow -played clean. But my guess is that they won’t play dirty. That sort of -stuff doesn’t go here, and I think they know it. If they don’t know it -they’ll mighty soon find it out! They’ll play clean if we have to slug -’em to make ’em!” - -Which statement, although made in all sincerity and with a perfectly -sober countenance, met with a ripple of laughter from his hearers. -“That’s the idea, Will!” approved Frank Lamson. “We’ll have peace if we -have to fight for it!” - -Brown and Young’s School was a new institution and a large one. -You saw its half-page advertisements in the magazines every month. -Although a city school, it emphasized athletics and had a field that -any university might have been proud of, with a stadium that was an -architectural triumph. There were those who opined that Brown and -Young’s graduates were likely to be better grounded in football, -baseball and track athletics than in scholarly studies, but possibly -such persons were disgruntled by a Brown and Young’s defeat. For Brown -and Young’s took athletics seriously and pursued victory on diamond, -gridiron or rink most strenuously. And, it must be acknowledged, Brown -and Young’s had won many laurels. Yardley had met her last spring in -baseball, but this was the first gridiron contest between the two. On -the diamonds Brown and Young’s had proved noisy, argumentative and a -trifle rough in the pinches, and had accepted a 3 to 2 defeat not very -graciously, but she had not been guilty of unfair tactics. Perhaps, as -Tom Fanning said, she liked to be thought a bit “tough” in the hope -that her adversaries would either be afraid or try to beat her at -toughness and get caught doing it. In any event, Yardley received a -strict warning from Coach Lyle before the game. - -“Any fellow who tries dirty work will come out,” he declared. “If the -officials don’t put him off, I will. Just remember that. If Brown and -Young’s don’t play clean it’s up to the officials. We’ve heard that -these fellows are a ‘tough bunch,’ a win-at-any-cost team, but you -can’t believe everything you hear. So don’t go into the game looking -for trouble. Maybe it isn’t there. If they should try the rough-stuff, -your captain will call the officials’ attention to it. Just you keep -your hands and your temper down and your heads up. Play as hard as you -know how, fellows, but play fair.” - -It was an ideal football day, crisp and sunny, with almost no wind. -Frost had left the field a bit soft but not sufficiently so to affect -any one’s game. Greenburg turned out a good audience, which, added to -the Yardley rooters and a half-hundred Brown and Young’s followers, -nearly filled the stands by three o’clock. Toby had Sid Creel and -Grover Beech for companions, and, reaching the field early, they got -first row seats directly behind the Yardley bench. Brown and Young’s -came on first, a capable-looking squad of thirty or so, accompanied -by a regular retinue of noncombatants; a head coach and an assistant -coach, a couple of managers, a trainer, an assistant trainer and two -rubbers. - -“Guess the Principal must be ill,” said Beech dryly. “I don’t see him -anywhere.” - -“Maybe he’s one of the cheer leaders,” suggested Sid. “Those are sure -some gaudy togs of theirs!” - -Sid had reference to the enemy’s orange sweaters and -orange-and-black-ringed stockings. - -“Princeton colors,” said Beech. “Doubtless showing a predilection for -that university on the part of our noble opponent.” - -“How do you get that way?” inquired Sid slangily. “Brown and Young’s -fellows don’t go to Princeton.” - -“Don’t they?” asked Toby innocently. “Where do they go?” - -“Into professional baseball,” answered Sid in triumph. - -Beech grinned approval of the bon mot, but said that he didn’t believe -there was room in professional baseball for them all. Sid didn’t argue -the matter, for Yardley trotted around the corner of the stand just -then and the cheer leaders were bellowing for “A regular Yardley cheer, -fellows, for the Team!” - -After that, with four elevens warming up on the gridiron, there was -too much to watch for conversation to flourish. Instead, the talk -ran something like this: “Noyes is driving the scrubs.”――“Simpson’s -back at center, Cap.”――“Gee, that was some punt! Wonder if they -can do that in the game!”――“Oh, you Ted Halliday!”――“Look at -the size of that guy, will you? Must be their center.”――“Right -guard. He’d make two of Casement!”――“Those chaps have got a heap -of pep, haven’t they?”――“How’re you betting, Cap?”――“Watch that -yellow-leg kicking goals down there, fellows! He hasn’t missed one -yet!”――“Hello, Andy! Who’s going to win?”――“Who’s the little chap -in the gray sweater?”――“Cornish, of Trinity. He’s umpiring. He’s -good, too.”――“Those fellows can cheer, can’t they? Rotten name for a -school, though; Brown and Young’s. Sounds like they were advertising -a department store!”――“Must be most time to start. Three minutes of? -There goes Fanning now. Is that the referee with him?”――“Good-looking -guy, that Brown and Young’s captain.”――“Fan lost the toss! Sure he -did! What? Oh, that’s different! Still, I don’t see――――”――“Every one -up! Bust yourself, Toby! Rah! Rah! Rah!――――” - -Then, when the rival cheers had floated off across the river and -the gold-and-russet marshes beyond, the stands became momentarily -silent and the referee’s voice sounded clearly: “All ready, Brown -and Young?――Ready, Yardley?” Then the whistle piped and a tall -yellow-sleeved tackle swung a striped leg and sent the new ball -hurtling down the field. - -It was a long, high kick, and well-placed, and when Snowden had -gathered it into his arms and doubled himself over it the enemy was -almost on him. A scant eight yards he made, by dint of much twisting -and feinting, and then he was pulled down. Yardley made one stab at -the opponent’s left and gained two. Then the ball went back to Snowden -and was hurled well up the field to the left. Roover was quite alone -when it reached him, and he trailed off a dozen yards before he was -forced outside. The play had caught the enemy napping, and it had -suddenly moved the game from Yardley to Brown and Young’s territory, -for when the ball was paced in and grounded it lay just short of the -enemy’s forty yards. The Blue’s cohorts cheered and shouted and waved, -while, from across the field, came a snappy, undismayed cheer from the -Orange-and-Black. - -Another slight gain outside left tackle, and again the pigskin shot -back to Snowden. This time the big full-back started off toward his -right as if he meant to turn the end, but, challenged, he threw a -lateral to Arnold Deering, and Arnold, behind good interference, raced -to the adversary’s twenty-eight before he was set on savagely and -tumbled head over heels. Fortunately he held tight to the ball. The -Yardley stand was in an uproar of triumph and delight. Dismay showed -in the ranks of the enemy. Toby saw the Brown and Young’s quarter, -a spindly, nervous-mannered youth, look back apprehensively at the -goal-posts as he retreated up the field yelling strident encouragement -to his fellows. Toby felt a certain sympathy with that quarter-back, -enemy or no enemy. Toby had experienced similar apprehension. - -Brown and Young’s looked pitifully weak during the next few minutes. -Her opponent’s success had upset her calculations and the suddenness of -events had left her gasping and rattled. From the twenty-eight yards -Roover carried the ball in two plunges through the Orange’s left to a -position opposite the goal and twenty-one yards away from it. Then -kicking formation was called and Fanning dropped out of the line, his -place being taken by Roover. Brown and Young’s shouted warnings against -a fake, but the cry of “Block that kick!” mingled with them. Captain -Fanning stretched his hands forth, Curran piped his signals, the ball -left Simpson―――― - -Confusion reigned! Cries filled the air! Yardley swept forward! But -where was the ball? Fanning’s right leg swung against nothing. Deering -was running off to the left, chased by an orange-sleeved end and Brown -and Young’s forwards were piling through. But no one, it seemed, had -the ball! And then, out of the ruck of confusion, shot a flash of blue -that, seen dimly between the heaving forms of friend and foe, resolved -into the likeness of Curran! Straight ahead leaped the quarter-back, -straight at the center of the goal. For five yards he slipped -unchallenged through the very storm center of the battle. Then the ruse -was discovered and the Orange hurled her defenses upon him. But friend -as well as enemy was about him now, and not until the ten-yard line was -underfoot was he tackled. Then, fighting hard, he dragged on for three -more strides, faltered, was borne back and went down under an avalanche -of enemy forms. - -“The old delayed pass!” cried Grover Beech almost tearfully in his -joy. “And they fell for it!” - -Eight yards to go! Desperately, while the tumult still reigned, Brown -and Young’s lined up under the shadow of her goal. That she could stop -the enemy now was too much to hope, nor did she, though she battled -fiercely. Deering was launched ahead for two yards and Roover made two -more. The shouting had almost ceased from the stands and the Brown and -Young’s quarter could be heard imploring the team to “Hold ’em fellows! -Throw ’em back! Get low! Get low! Hold ’em!” And with his voice came a -medley of others and, sharp, stabbing, through them all, the musketry -of Curran’s signals. Then a sudden heaving of both tense lines, a -concentration of the whole Yardley back-field on the enemy center, -a slow yielding there and, finally, a break, with Snowden, the ball -hugged to his stomach, arching over and through on a sea of squirming -figures! - -Well over the last line lay the pigskin, a foot to spare! And as -Yardley trotted back, swinging headguards, cavorting a little, and -Brown and Young’s lined up sullenly beneath the cross-bar, Sid Creel -laid his head in Toby’s lap, kicked Beech lovingly on the shins and -murmured rapturously: “From our twenty yards to their goal in nine -plays! Eighty yards in eight minutes! O Brown, where is thy victory! O -Young, where is thy sting!” - -Fanning kicked an easy goal and again Brown and Young’s sent the ball -from the tee. There was a breathless moment while Arnold Deering -juggled the catch and then a clever advance of nearly twenty yards -through half the enemy team. Two attempts at the line netted but three, -and Yardley made her first punt. And for the first time since the game -began Brown and Young’s had the ball in her possession. But disruption -was still evident, and the whistle sounding the end of the first period -came as a welcome of relief to the visitors. - -When play was resumed the Orange showed her possibilities, for, -although Yardley stopped her midway between center line and goal and, -having adopted defensive tactics for the time, kicked again on second -down, Brown and Young’s came back with ever increasing determination. - -The Orange used a clever and often disconcerting combination of -straight, old-style line-bucking and wide end-running with a remarkably -efficient protection for the man with the ball. She had a bewildering -number of back-field combinations, apparently chiefly designed to -confuse the opponent. The fact that line-attacks and end-runs were -sent off from the same close-up formation of the backs made it hard -for Yardley to guess which was coming. In fact, the Brown and Young’s -system of plays was well calculated to keep the enemy on the anxious -seat, and just so long as her line continued fairly impregnable she was -bound to make gains. So far she had attempted no forward-passing, and -her kicking game was still an unknown quantity. Her plan appeared to -be to hold the ball as long as she could, making the opponent wrest it -from her in the scrimmage. - -As the second quarter progressed her attacks became fiercer and her -resistance more stubborn. Her men played well together, and, although -a few stood out above the rest in ability, individual effort was -subordinated to teamwork. It was teamwork that made possible her -running game, for every man had a duty and performed it, and not once -in that period was Yardley able to reach the man with the ball until -he had at least crossed the scrimmage line, and more often he had a -substantial gain to his credit before the Blue’s secondary defense -stopped him. It was principally the fact that, once inside the thirty -yards, Brown and Young’s abandoned end-running for line-plugging that -Yardley’s goal remained intact in that first half. Twice Yardley took -the ball away from her inside the twenty-yard line and punted out of -danger, and twice the Orange hammered or scuttled her way back again, -the whistle halting a march that seemed destined to bring a touchdown. - -“That seven points doesn’t look as safe as it did awhile back,” -said Grover Beech as the rival squads trailed off to the gymnasium. -“Considering the way those lads played in the last quarter, I’d say we -were mighty lucky to get it!” - -“You’re dead right,” agreed Sid Creel. “They’ve got it all over us on -team-play. They move like a regular machine. Those end-runs of theirs -are the slickest things I’ve seen in an age, and if we don’t find some -way of stopping them we’ll get licked as sure as shooting!” - -“There’s just one way to stop them,” said Toby. “That’s to play our -ends further out and bring a back into the line.” - -“Then they’d cut inside the end,” said Sid. “That’s old-stuff, sonny. -Pull the opposing end out and then shoot the plays inside him.” - -“But with a half-back there――――” - -“The trouble is,” said Beech, “you can’t guess when they’re coming. -Half a dozen times I doped it out that they were going to smash the -line and they just fooled me. There’s nothing to give you a hint. I -could see Tom Fanning getting goggle-eyed trying to size up what was -coming. Usually there’s something to give the snap away: a back drops a -foot or two further back or to one side, or he faces a bit the way the -play’s going without meaning to, or you get a hint from the signal. But -these chaps are foxy.” - -“I don’t believe they’ve got anything on us as far as their line goes,” -said Sid. - -“The only thing they’ve got on us is smoother playing,” declared Beech. -“They’re playing end-of-season football and we’re playing what we’ve -learned and no more.” - -“Well, how do they get that way?” growled Sid. - -“They go at it harder, I guess. They tell me that that coach of theirs -gets ten thousand a year.” - -“Ten thousand dollars!” ejaculated Toby. - -“No, eggs,” replied Sid sarcastically. “Well, why not? If he can teach -a team to play like that by midseason he’s worth it.” - -“Maybe,” agreed Beech. “If you’re running that kind of a school. But -the best college football coach doesn’t get any more, and――――” - -“They say Brown and Young’s has an enrollment this fall of nearly seven -hundred, and it’s only three or four years old,” said Sid. “So I guess -they can afford to pay a real salary to the coach. And I guess it pays -them to afford it. Wonder, though, how much the Principal gets!” - -“Oh, the Principal isn’t important,” observed Toby. “I dare say he just -gets his room and meals and stationery, the poor fish! He ought to take -a tumble to himself and study football. I had a sort of an idea I might -be a railroad president or own a bank, or something modest like that, -but I’ve changed my mind. I’m going to be a football coach. It pays -better and the hours are shorter.” - -“But think of the responsibility,” chuckled Beech. “Wealth isn’t -everything, Tucker.” - -“Say, do these yellow-legs play Broadwood?” demanded Sid. - -“No, I don’t believe so. They never have,” replied Beech. - -“Too bad. I wish they would. We’d get a dandy line on Broadwood.” - -“And Broadwood would get a dandy line on us. Don’t see that it would -help much. Well, here they come again. No, it’s our fellows. Get onto -your job, Fless!” - -The cheer leader gave a startled look over his shoulder, grabbed his -big blue megaphone and jumped to his feet. “Come on, Yardley! Every -one up! Regular cheer, with nine ‘Yardleys!’ One! Two!――――” - -The only change in the Blue’s line-up at the beginning of the third -period was at left end, where Meadows had displaced Sandford. The -Orange team returned intact. Yardley brought renewed joy to her -supporters in the first few minutes by two long gains, one by means of -a forward-pass and one by means of a seventeen-yard run by Deering, -that took her well into Brown and Young’s territory. But after that the -Orange refused to give and the ball changed hands on her twenty-seven -yards. That Coach Lyle had tried hard to solve the enemy’s running -game was evident on the occasion of the latter’s first attempt to gain -around Yardley’s left. Instead of trying to get through the enemy’s -excellent interference at once, Yardley adopted waiting tactics. So -long as the man with the ball kept on toward the side-line the Blue was -content to let him alone, and the surprising and even amusing spectacle -of fully half of each team streaking in parallel courses across the -field resulted. By these tactics Yardley gained an advantage. Whereas -before she had plunged blindly at the Orange’s interference, often not -knowing where the ball was, she now had time to size up the situation -and bend every energy toward the runner. Brown and Young’s play brought -the whole back-field out laterally, the runner carrying the ball, -either a half or the full-back, well guarded by three interferers, to -whom, once having diverted the opponent’s charge toward the center, was -added an end and tackle who formed what was virtually a rear guard. To -be successful, however, the play demanded that the opposing defense be -drawn through soon after it had started, the interference engaging it -and the man with the ball shooting free at the last moment and turning -in. So as long as the opponent did not challenge, the Orange formation -continued on in a lateral direction until, for a moment, it seemed -that it would simply continue across the side-line and into the stand! -Eventually, however, the runner saw the futility of further waiting -and took the law into his own hands in a desperate effort to save the -play. But as he had to drop back to let his interference pass before -he could turn in he was very promptly nailed and the Orange netted a -six-yard loss. But of course it didn’t work out so well for Yardley -the next time, for the Orange changed her tactics and shot the runner -in at the first opportunity. Nevertheless, the play lost most of its -effectiveness and, toward the end of the contest, was entirely ignored. - -In that third period the honors were fairly even, with each team -gaining two first downs and neither penetrating nearer to her -opponent’s goal than the twenty-seven-yard line. Brown and Young’s -punters showed themselves fully equal to either Roover or Snowden and -the rival lines exhibited a similar strength against attack. Perhaps -the Orange’s superiority, if she showed any, was in her aggressiveness, -although it brought no returns so far as scoring was concerned. Each -team in the period might have attempted a field-goal but chose to stand -or fall on rushing. The seven points scored to the credit of Yardley -had regained something of their original value when time was called for -the quarter, although Brown and Young’s rooters were still hopeful and, -across the field, there were many anxious hearts. - -Of the sort of playing with which the visitors had been accused, none -had been seen. To be sure, the Orange players played hard and fierce, -and when they tackled the runner always stayed where he was put, but -nothing mean nor underhand had appeared. They did a lot of talking -across the line, and some of their remarks were not in the best taste, -but many of Yardley’s opponents were what the fellows called “gabby” -and the Blue was used to verbal attack. - -Play started in the final period with the pigskin in Yardley’s -possession on her opponent’s forty-four yards. Candee had taken -Simpson’s place at center and Twining had substituted Rose at left -guard. On the opposing team two changes in the line and one in the -back-field had been made. Deering plugged through the Orange left for -a short gain and Roover got outside tackle for two yards. Curran threw -to Meadows, who missed the pass, and Roover punted. An Orange back -cut through the Yardley field for nearly twenty yards after catching -and the ball was on Brown and Young’s forty-one. It was then that the -visitors opened their bag of tricks. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -TUBB WINS PROMOTION - - -First, the Orange changed her back-field formation entirely. Instead -of standing close to the line, three abreast, the two halves and the -full-back retired to a position a good ten yards behind the scrimmage -and spread widely. The quarter stood five yards behind center, crouched -to take the pass. The right tackle shifted to the other side of the -line, toward which, at the start of the signal, the three backs made -a quarter-turn. But as the ball went back to the quarter the three -swung to the right and started diagonally toward the end of their -line, left half and full aiming at a point just outside it and right -half deploying further to the right. At the same moment the right end -began sprinting straight toward the side-line, drawing the Yardley left -tackle and a defensive back with him. - -Having taken the ball from center, the quarter-back started also to -the right, running parallel to the line until, left half and full -having crossed in front of him, he was behind right end’s original -position. There he slowed and shot the pigskin away at a lateral pass -to the right half. The throw was some fifteen yards and perfectly made, -and the right half, as yet unmolested, had no difficulty in getting it. -Whereupon he set forth on his adventures, heading straight along the -side-line and about twelve yards away from it. The opposing end had -been blanketed by the full-back and it was not until the runner crossed -the line of scrimmage that serious opposition to his advance developed. -And then, with his own end and left half guarding his flank and the -quarter making trouble for the rear attack, he proceeded brilliantly -across the middle of the field and set his eyes on the goal. - -Yardley, suspecting something unusual and spectacular, had played her -ends back and out and deployed three backs up the field. Halliday, at -right end, had been rudely set aside, and it was Curran and Roover -on whom the task of stopping the runner devolved. Roover, nearer at -hand, did his best to get past the interference but failed, although -in failing he upset the Brown and Young’s full-back. By now the whole -field was in pursuit, with, however, most of it hopelessly out of the -race. Yet Casement, who for a guard was remarkably fast on his feet, -somehow managed to get to the fore and sent the Orange quarter-back -spinning aside, after which he put out for the runner. But Curran was -the man for the job. - -Slowing as he neared the prey, he feinted as though to pass behind -the Orange left half who was running about three yards inside the man -with the ball. The half, guessing that the enemy would do the thing he -appeared not to be doing, ran on, and Curran, leaping forward, circled -behind him. And, although the half challenged, throwing himself between -Curran and his team-mate, Curran managed somehow to meet the impact -and, carried forward by his own momentum, seized one Yellow-and-Black -leg ere it twinkled beyond his reach. The man with the ball added -another yard to his gain, dragging Curran with him, but that weight was -not to be denied and he came to his knees. Then Casement flattened him -out, friend and foe labored breathlessly up and the whistle blew. - -Brown and Young’s had made a gain of nearly thirty yards, for when -the ball had been wrested from the tenacious grip of the Orange right -half-back it went down just short of Yardley’s thirty-yard line. -Orange-hued banners waved wildly on the east stand while Yardley gave a -well-deserved cheer for the rival half-back. - -Brown and Young’s had her eyes on the goal-line now and it seemed that -she was not to be denied. Twice she hurled her full-back through for -short gains at left guard, and then, using the new formation again, -worked as pretty a quarter-back run around her left end as had ever -been seen on Yardley Field. With the ball on the seventeen yards, -she tried the line once more and split through for half the needed -distance, the Blue’s left crumpling badly. Twining took the place of -Rose, and another attempt on the left gained a scant yard. With four -to go on third down, Brown and Young’s made all preparations for a -place-kick, and a big, long-legged tackle ranged back to position. -Yet Yardley refused to believe in that kick. The Orange needed seven -points to tie, and it wasn’t likely that, with only a short time left, -she would satisfy herself with a mere three points. And so, although -everything pointed to a kick from placement, Fanning and Curran sounded -their warnings and the backs hovered anxiously midway between line and -goal. Then, at last, the ball sped back. - -But it never reached the outstretched hands of the tackle. Instead, -it went to a half-back and, as the Blue’s forwards desperately broke -through, the half poised the pigskin calmly until Casement was almost -on him and then as calmly sped it over the mêlée diagonally into the -waiting arms of his right end. And that youth had but to take two -strides to cross the last white line. When he was pulled down he was -almost behind the right goal post. - -How that end got into position for receiving the pass unnoticed none -on the Yardley team ever knew. One moment he wasn’t there and the next -moment he was. Halliday and Deering, theoretically at least, shared the -blame, although, as Fanning generously said afterwards, a forward-pass -was the last thing expected. Not once before had the enemy attempted a -forward from ordinary formation, and unconsciously Yardley had grown to -think that that play was not included in her plan of battle. As it was, -Arnold had seen the ball hurtling toward the corner of the field and -had leaped forward with a sick feeling at his heart. But he had been a -fraction of a moment too late. The end had made the catch ere Arnold -reached him, and although Arnold threw desperate arms toward him the -end eluded them and went free until Curran pulled him to earth. - -Brown and Young’s walked the ball out and, although the angle was -sufficient to allow Yardley to hope for failure, the big tackle sent it -squarely between the posts and the score was tied. - -With less than four minutes left, it was fairly obvious that 7 to -7 would be the final score, but Yardley, with three new men in her -line-up, still hoped and returned eagerly to the fray. The kick-off -went to the Orange’s twelve yards and came back only to her fifteen. A -skin-tackle on her right brought her three yards and a second attempt -was stopped. For the first time since the game had started the Orange -players became ugly. Many changes had been made, and possibly it was -a substitute who, charging through, tried to “mix it up” with Bates, -who had succeeded Deering. Friends of both players sprang between and -the Orange youth got off with a warning from the referee. There were -a few hisses, many “boos” and some laughter from the stands. Possibly -the incident supplied the added incentive that allowed Yardley to break -through a moment later and block the adversary’s kick. The ball bounded -from the up-thrown arm of a Yardley lineman and became lost in a mass -of struggling players and for a long moment confusion reigned. When the -referee finally penetrated to the bottom of the squirming, grunting -pile he found the ball snuggled in the arms of a Yardley forward. The -Blue cheered wildly and implored a touchdown as the result became known -to the stands, and, since the teams lined up on the Orange’s fourteen -yards, a touchdown looked possible enough. - -But the Blue’s first play resulted disastrously. Clarke, who had -taken Halliday’s place at the right end of the line, was far offside -when the ball was snapped and the team was set back. A plunge at -guard-tackle hole on the left gave Yardley four yards, and Snowden, -from kick formation, managed two more around right end. Then, however, -a forward-pass, Snowden to Bates, went wrong and Fanning dropped back -for a try-at-goal. While both stands grew silent, Will Curran patted -the ground and poised himself on his knees for the pass from center. -The position was at a slight angle and the distance was less than -twenty yards and the Blue already saw victory perched upon her banner. -But Brown and Young’s was desperate and Yardley, perhaps, oversure, -and when the ball came back to Curran so, too, came half the Orange -team, and, although Fanning met the poised ball fairly, it was still -breast-high when the enemy reached it. There was a tragic _thud_ as it -rebounded from an onrushing player, followed by cries and the pounding -of many feet as friend and foe took up the chase. The pursuit passed -over Curran like a wave, leaving him writhing on the sod. - -Back to the thirty-yard line trickled the pigskin, and there a Brown -and Young’s tackle scooped it up from under the nose of half a dozen -others and sprang away toward the distant Yardley goal. But although he -started with a clear field, and although hastily-formed interference -grouped itself about him, he was in no condition for speed, and near -the middle of the field Bates, eluding the interference, pulled him to -earth. - -Time was taken out for Curran and he limped off, Noyes taking his -place. From midfield, using every trick she knew, the Orange began a -slow advance toward the Blue’s goal. Yardley fought hard but was forced -to yield. Both teams were pretty well tuckered and after each play -substitutes flocked in, and with their arrival the game became more -erratic. Penalties were dealt to each side fairly impartially, signals -were misunderstood and the play became slower and slower, and at last, -with the ball still in Brown and Young’s possession near the home -team’s thirty yards, the whistle sounded the end of the battle. - -As unsatisfactory as the outcome was, the teams parted with mutual -respect, and when Brown and Young’s supporters formed into ranks and -marched off the field, cheering mightily, the Blue’s partisans had -no criticism to make. As Grover Beech put it, as he and Toby and Sid -climbed over the barriers and joined the throng beyond, Brown and -Young’s had played a hard, clean game and, on her showing in the last -half, had deserved a victory. - -“Which,” observed Sid Creel dryly, “I am pleased to say she didn’t get!” - -The Brown and Young’s contest ended Yardley’s preliminary season. -Four games remained, those with Carrel’s, Nordham, St. John’s, and -Broadwood. Two of these, the Carrel’s and St. John’s games were to be -played away from home. All were looked on as hard battles, although -it might well be that none would prove harder than the contest just -played. Brown and Young’s had been underestimated, and it was certain -that another year her place on the Yardley schedule would be much -further along. Still, there were no regrets over that game. Yardley -had showed her faults in time to allow the proper remedies to take -effect, all of her players had come through the grilling without -serious damage and several second and third string players had found -the opportunity to show ability. Will Curran’s injury was slight, it -seemed, and he would be out of the game but a few days. Some over-eager -Brown and Young’s man had trampled over his prostrate form and placed -a heavy foot against his knee, but treatment and an elastic bandage -would repair the damage. On the whole, Yardley Hall School, coach, -players and noncombatants, were rather well satisfied with the recent -engagement, and there was a general verdict to the effect that the Blue -had been extremely fortunate to get through it without a beating. - -Arnold was somewhat downhearted for a day or two, maintaining sadly -that the Orange’s score could be blamed on him, and relating the -incident in appalling detail to Toby until the latter youth begged him -to forget it. “No one else expected a forward-pass then,” said Toby, -“so why should you have looked for one? Besides, it was up to Ted -Halliday as much as to you. Cheer up and ease your face, Arn. You still -have me to live for!” - -The final argument didn’t seem to make any great appeal to Arnold at -the moment, but by Monday, after a light session on the gridiron, he -returned to his wonted cheerfulness. That Monday witnessed what, to -Toby at least, was a most surprising event. He learned of it after -practice when, returning to Number 12, he found Arnold there before him. - -“I suppose you know about the new end we’ve acquired,” said Arnold, -smiling broadly. - -“End? No, what do you mean?” - -“What! You haven’t missed him? Such is fame! Ain’t it sad?” - -“What are you jabbering about?” Toby relaxed on the window-seat with a -sigh of weariness. “Who haven’t I missed?” - -“Why, your bosom friend, Mr. Tubbs, of course.” - -“Tubb? What about Tubb?” asked Toby suspiciously. - -“Then you don’t know! You haven’t heard the glad and glorious news!” - -“I have not, but if Tubb has fallen down and bitten his tongue――――” - -“Nary a fall down, old thing! Instead, Mr. Tubbs――or is it Tubb? -Anyway, whatever his poetic name may be, he has landed on his feet.” - -“Has he?” Toby sounded bored and indifferent. “Well, he’s been in the -air long enough! In just what manner, Mr. Bones, has the gentleman -landed on his feet? Whenever you consider that the suspense has lasted -long enough, Arn, you have my permission to shoot!” - -“Prepare to faint, T. Tucker! Your friend Tubbs has been ruthlessly -torn from your arms! He’s taken over to the First!” - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -AN “ACCIDENT” - - -A sense of duty is sometimes a most inconvenient thing to possess. That -Monday night it was a sense of duty that sent Toby up to Number 31, -and he went laggingly, feeling very certain that George Tubb would be -more objectionable than ever. Tubb was not, Toby thought, of the kind -who stands prosperity well. Tubb would be quite unbearable to-night: -Toby could imagine him growling “Huh, I’d have made the First Team long -ago if I’d had the ‘pull’ some fellows have!” But Toby felt that to an -extent he was responsible for Tubb’s well-being, having in a manner -started him out of his Slough of Despond, and that it was up to him to -congratulate the other on his good fortune. - -The scene that met his eyes when he pushed the door open in response -to an invitation to enter was very unlike that upon which he had gazed -on the occasion of his first visit to Number 31. Tubb and Ramsey were -shoulder to shoulder, Tubb seated and his roommate bending over the -table beside him, evidently elucidating some problem contained in the -textbook that lay open before them. To all appearances perfect amity -reigned now in Number 31! Nor was that the only surprise awaiting -Toby. George Tubb was still George Tubb, and probably he would never -be anything else, but instead of “grouching” because Fortune had not -visited him earlier, or predicting the great things that were to happen -by reason of his elevation to the First, he seemed loath to talk of -the matter, accepting the visitor’s congratulation with a frown and -a muttered――and vague――“Oh, well, I don’t know. I suppose it’s all -right.” After that he appeared to prefer other topics of conversation, -although Toby nevertheless had the impression that the matter was in -his thoughts most of the time. - -The problem in geometry that had puzzled Tubb proved a diversion and -Toby was able to supply the needed assistance, rather to his surprise -since of late he had begun to fear that he had forgotten most of what -he had learned during the preceding year! After that they talked -of various subjects, football most of all. Tubb was ready to talk -football so long as it was general, and he had a number of criticisms -to make of last Saturday’s contest. With some of them Toby didn’t -agree, and arguments followed, and Toby discovered that Tubb could -think things out clearly and state his results quite convincingly -when he wanted to. Horace Ramsey maneuvered the talk around to tennis -finally and asked Toby’s advice about trying for the Tennis Team. - -“I didn’t do so badly in the handicaps last week,” he explained. “Got -as far as the semi-finals, anyway. Beat two or three fellows who are -considered rather good, too. How do you set about making the Team, -Tucker?” - -Toby didn’t know and said so, but he promised to find out and let -Ramsey know, and after that he took his departure. Both boys, without -saying so in words, managed to convey to him the impression that they -had enjoyed his visit and wanted him to come again. He went downstairs -feeling very well pleased with himself for having performed a -disagreeable duty and a little surprised at finding that it hadn’t been -disagreeable after all! “I guess,” he told himself as he clattered down -the stairs, “a good many disagreeable things are like that. You think -they’re a lot worse than they are.” - -The First Team paid a good deal of attention to defense that week, a -branch of football science that had been somewhat neglected by Coach -Lyle in favor of attack, and the Second was called on four afternoons -to aid, the big team working, contrary to custom, quite as hard on -Friday as on any other day. It was on Wednesday that Toby had his first -chance to see Tubb in action with the First. Tubb made his entry in the -middle of a very strenuous second half, relieving Meadows. Sandford, -who had started the season at left end, appeared to be out of the -running. Tubb did well. Toby was rather amazed at the boy’s playing, -and his respect for Grover Beech as a judge of football talent went -up a peg. Beech had called Tubb “a natural-born end,” and, while Toby -had little intimate knowledge of end playing, he thought that Beech -had been quite right. Tubb acted as if he had played football for -several seasons. He appeared to have unlimited confidence――in fact, -his confidence looked almost like effrontery at times――and absolutely -no physical fear, hurling himself into every play he could reach -regardless of consequences. He had a way of keeping in motion every -minute while in the line-up that, although it was rather wearisome to -the spectator, kept his adversary in wholesome fear. And he could run -like a ferret, too, and although he still missed tackles rather too -frequently, he proved a thorn in the side of Toby and his team-mates -when catching punts. Somehow, Tubb was always on hand when the ball had -dropped into Toby’s arms, and if Toby squirmed himself free more than -once it was only because Tubb had yet something to learn of the gentle -art of tackling. Toby found himself a bit proud of George Tubb, quite -as though he was personally accountable for that youth’s attainments! - -The Second went through some gruelling work that week, for the most -part assaulting the First’s defenses with every art and artifice at -her command. Time and again the ball was taken away from the First and -handed back to the Second, the coaches demanding that she put it over, -every one, as it seemed, conniving at the First Team’s humiliation. -Perhaps once during a game the First was allowed to show her prowess -in attack, and the rest of the time she was back to the wall with the -Second banging at her center, jabbing her tackles, skirting her ends, -trying every possible means to penetrate her defenses. The result -showed before the end of the week arrived. The First developed a -savage, bitter, every-hand-against-me attitude that worked wonders. -On Thursday she was thrice set her five yards and told to hold the -opponent, and twice she did it, which, considering that both coaches -egged on the Second and tried every device they could think of to make -her attack more effective, was none so bad. Even on Friday, with a hard -game against Carrel’s School looming up on the morrow, the First was -hammered and banged about by the Second, which, having come in for a -good many hard knocks and much rough usage, was in none too gentle a -mood. It was on Friday that an incident occurred which, unimportant in -itself, led to strange results. - -Frick was playing quarter on the Second and Tubb had taken the place of -an exhausted Meadows at left end on the First. First, unable to gain -her distance in three downs in midfield, punted and the ball fell to -Frick in front of Second’s goal. Both Tubb and Halliday had got free -and were well under the ball as it arched down the field, but Halliday -fell victim to Deering, leaving Tubb to look after Frick alone. Frick -made the catch a moment before Tubb arrived on the scene and set off -to his right in the hope of skirting the enemy pouring down the middle -of the field. Tubb gave chase, running him off. Frick feinted but Tubb -wasn’t fooled. Had the quarter-back been able to get free soon after -making the catch he might have reeled off a good gain, for the gridiron -to his right was practically unguarded, but Tubb had him so well -blocked that there was no getting by and it was only when the side-line -came dangerously near that Frick made a despairing effort to turn in. -He pulled up suddenly and tried to dash past Tubb, but the First Team -end was quicker than he was. Avoiding the runner’s straight-arm, Tubb -dived and, for once, dived surely. He didn’t have to hold his man after -the tackle, for by that time he had plenty of help, and Frick was -speedily flattened out. On his feet again, Frick was very angry indeed, -and panted insults and threats at Tubb’s retreating back until Beech -silenced him. - -Unaware that he had aroused Frick’s wrath, Tubb trotted back to his -position. Two savage attacks on the First Team’s line netted but four -yards and then Stover punted. Tubb was spilled trying to stop the -opposing end and was climbing to his feet when the Second’s stragglers -streamed past. Among them was Frick, for some reason later in getting -down the field than he should have been. Only a few saw what happened -as Frick reached Tubb, for most eyes were fixed on Noyes as he got -under the ball. Toby, however, saw from where he sat on the bench, for -Frick’s performance was of more interest to him than any one’s else, -and just now Toby was wondering why his rival was almost the last in -the pursuit. Tubb, in the act of raising himself from the ground, -did not see Frick’s approach, nor, since he was unsuspecting, would -he have heeded it if he had seen it. Frick had set a course that led -him past the other, and now, as he reached him, he swerved a pace and -brought one heavily-shod foot against Tubb’s ribs just under the left -shoulder. It was as deliberate a thing as Toby had ever seen, and -unconsciously he jumped to his feet with an exclamation of disgust. -Tubb, supported at the moment on his left hand, dropped instantly to -the turf and rolled over on his back, his legs drawn up in pain. Frick -was already well down the field. Toby and Lovett, a substitute end, ran -on together. Tubb was white-faced and gasping, both hands clasped to -his side. - -“Some one――kicked me,” he whispered. “I’ll be――all right in a――minute.” - -“It was Frick,” exclaimed Lovett indignantly. “I saw it. He ought to -get chucked!” - -“Frick!” gasped Tubb wonderingly. “What――for?” - -By that time Andy Ryan was there with pail and sponge and Toby and -Lovett went back to the bench, the latter still sputtering. - -“He’s a poisonous pup, anyway, Tucker, and I hope Tubb goes after him -and gets him for that!” - -“Well, I wouldn’t say much about it,” counseled Toby. “It’ll only make -trouble. It’s between the two of them now. Let them settle it.” - -“Sure, it isn’t my funeral,” Lovett agreed, “though I don’t see why -you’re so anxious about Frick. If Mr. Burtis had seen it Frick would be -off for keeps, and you’d have quarter-back cinched, Tucker.” - -“Well, I don’t want to cinch it that way, I guess. Besides, it may have -been an accident. I know it didn’t look it, but――――” - -“Accident your great-aunt!” jeered the other. “Why, Frick went out of -his way to do it! And he sure took a chance. I’ll give him that much -credit. If any one but you and I had seen it――Good-night, Mr. Frick!” - -“Guess he knew every one would be looking the other way. Tubb’s up and -Andy’s taking him off. Hope he didn’t get a broken rib. That was a -fierce wallop he got!” - -“I’d hand Roy Frick a fierce wallop if it was me,” growled Lovett. -“I’d hand him about two dozen of ’em!” - -Tubb was helped into his sweater and sent back to the gymnasium and the -game went on. Since Frick played the half out at quarter, Toby judged -that none had witnessed the incident save he and Lovett. Toby forgot -it later, for in the last fifteen-minute half he went in on the Second -and had his hands and his mind too full of other things. But that some -one still remembered was evident when Toby got back to his room after -practice. George Tubb had left a note. - - Dear Tucker: If you have time will you come up to my room a - minute after supper? I want to see you about something. G. W. T. - -Toby guessed what the something was and wondered whether he was to be -asked to bear a challenge to Roy Frick! He rather wished that Tubb had -selected some one else to consult, but he went nevertheless, climbing -the second flight in Whitson as soon after supper as he judged Tubb -had returned to Number 31. He found both Tubb and Ramsey at home, -but Horace went out after a few minutes, possibly by request. Tubb, -reflected Toby, was quite a different looking boy from the one whose -cut lip he had plastered on the train that afternoon some five weeks -ago. For one thing, he looked a deal cleaner! And he was rather more -carefully dressed. But the real change was deeper, Toby thought. -Tubb’s attitude toward his fellows and his school life had undergone a -change already, and the end was not yet; and the fact was manifested -in his expression and his speech. Tubb had gained in self-respect, -Toby concluded. Physically, too, he had altered, and for the better, -for football work had straightened his shoulders, made his flesh look -harder and his eyes clearer and removed the unhealthy pallor from his -face. On the whole, Toby got quite a lot of satisfaction from his study -of George W. Tubb this evening. - -But it was a very serious Tubb who confronted Toby when the door had -closed behind Horace Ramsey. There was very evidently something on the -Tubb mind. Toby waited in silence and after a moment Tubb began. “That -fellow with you this afternoon――Lovett, wasn’t it?――said it was Frick -who kicked me in the side. Did you see him do it, Tucker?” - -“Why――well, yes, I did, Tubb. Of course it was probably an accident――――” - -“How could it have been?” Tubb’s old scowl returned for an instant. -“He had the whole field, didn’t he? He needn’t have run over me! No, -I guess what happened was that he got mad because I stopped him from -running the punt back that time. I guess he’s got a bad temper, Frick. -Well, anyway, what I wanted to ask you is this. What’s the right way to -go after him? They say faculty won’t stand for fighting, but of course -a fellow’s got to pull a scrap sometimes. I’m going to get Frick for -this, but I don’t want to get fired, you see. He isn’t worth it.” - -“Of course he isn’t,” agreed Toby heartily. “And I’m afraid you would -get――well, maybe not fired, Tubb, but put on probation at least if -faculty found out.” - -“And probation would lose me my place on the team, wouldn’t it? That’s -what I supposed. Well, then, how would you go about it, Tucker? So as -not to be nabbed, I mean.” - -“Why, I don’t know. Why not――well, why not forget it, Tubb? After all -a fellow who does things like that harms himself more than he does any -one else, and――――” - -“Yah!” interrupted Tubb rudely. “Sunday school stuff, Tucker! I’ll bet -you wouldn’t talk that way if it was you who had half a dozen sore ribs -some guy had given you!” - -“Well, maybe I wouldn’t,” granted Toby, “but I’d hesitate a long time -before I’d risk probation for the sake of fighting him! And that’s what -you’d better do.” - -“Listen here, Tucker,” replied the other earnestly. “I’m going to get -even with that fellow. I didn’t give him any cause to kick my ribs in. -Even if I had, he’d no right to do it when I was down like that. What I -want to know is how you fight a fellow here. I guess there are fights: -I never heard of a school where they didn’t pull ’em off now and then.” -Tubb viewed Toby hopefully. - -“Maybe there are,” said Toby, “but I’ve never seen one. I suppose -fellows get off by themselves somewhere sometimes,” he continued -vaguely. “But if faculty hears of it――――” - -“Have to risk that,” said Tubb, more cheerfully. He was silent a -moment. Then: “Of course what I wanted to do was wait around at the -gym this afternoon and hand him a few, but I had a hunch that Lyle or -some one would be there and get peeved. So I didn’t. Then this evening -I caught him grinning at me in commons once. That grin’s going to cost -him something, believe me, Tucker!” - -“But look here, Tubb,” said Toby practically, “Frick’s two years older -than you, I guess, and he’s bigger and heavier, and fellows say he’s a -scrapper. I don’t know how good you are, but――――” Toby cast a dubious -glance over the other’s rather meager frame――“it’s something to think -about, isn’t it?” - -“How long did you think about it when Frick got gay with you down at -the field the other day?” asked Tubb, with a twinkle in his eye. - -“Not at all,” answered Toby, smiling. “But then, there wasn’t time!” - -“Huh! Well, don’t you worry about me, Tucker. I can handle that big -bully. I’ve had to scrap all my life, pretty near, and I know the -tricks. Besides, I’ve got right on my side, ain’t――haven’t I? And that -counts, doesn’t it?” - -“It ought to,” the other agreed, “but I wouldn’t count too much on it.” - -“Where does Frick room?” asked Tubb after a moment. - -“I don’t know.” Toby frowned a minute. Then: “Look here, Tubb, let’s -talk sense,” he expostulated. “Never mind whether faculty finds out or -doesn’t. You say you’re willing to risk that. But if you beat Frick up -or if he beats you up, Tom Fanning will hear of it, even if the coaches -don’t. And Fanning will drop you from the team like a――a hot potato!” - -“I don’t see why he should,” Tubb objected. “It’s not his affair, -Tucker.” - -“Why isn’t it? It’s his affair if you or any other fellow on the team -breaks training. If Frick lays you up for a day or two――――” - -“Huh! Like to see him do it!” - -“Never mind, it’s possible. You’d be a fat lot of use to the team, -wouldn’t you? Well, that’s where it becomes Fan’s business, Tubb. Just -as long as you’re on the team it’s your duty to go by the rules.” - -“Is there any rule saying you mustn’t knock a fellow down after he’s -kicked you in the slats?” - -“Don’t be a chump! No, there isn’t, but there’s a general rule that -says you must keep yourself in trim so you’ll be able to do your best -for the team and the school. And when you fight another chap you’re -taking chances you haven’t the right to take. Besides, Tubb, there’s -another thing. You’re disturbing the――the――――” - -“Well, didn’t Frick disturb the same thing, whatever it is, when he -kicked me this afternoon? Think he helped keep me in trim, like you -say? Well, I don’t!” - -“Frick took an awful chance and got away with it, but I don’t think -that’s any reason you should. Hang it, Tubb, you’ve made the First Team -and you’ve got a great chance of playing against Broadwood, and that’s -something a lot of fellows would give their eye-teeth for! Don’t go and -spoil it by having a mix-up with this chap. If you must get even with -him, wait until the football season’s over, anyway. He won’t get away.” - -Tubb scowled. “I might forget it by that time,” he objected. - -Toby laughed. “All the better then! Take a chance on that, anyhow. Will -you?” - -Tubb hesitated, the scowl still lingering. At last: “I might,” he -answered, “I’ll see.” Then, after a moment: “I’d sort of hate to lose -my job with the team, Tucker,” he said frankly, “and that’s a fact. You -could have knocked me flat with a feather when they yanked me onto the -First. I――I guess I talked a lot of rot about ‘pull’ and that sort of -thing, because there wasn’t any pull about my getting on the First, was -there? It was just my playing. Not that I think I’m anything wonderful, -Tucker. Halliday’s better than I am, and maybe Meadows is, too, but I’m -going to beat him out for the place if I bust a leg doing it!” - -“That’s the way to talk,” approved Toby warmly. “And if you feel that -way about it, Tubb, I don’t see how you can think of risking your -chance. Why, Frick isn’t worth it!” - -“Maybe that’s so,” agreed Tubb thoughtfully. “Just the same, if that -pup looks cross-eyed at me again, or tries to get fresh――――” - -“Keep out of his way,” laughed Toby. - -“Huh! I guess not! He’d think I was scared of him.” - -“Let him. After the Broadwood game you can show him you’re not. That’s -a bargain, then?” - -“I don’t promise,” said Tubb, “but as long as he behaves himself I -guess I’ll let him alone. Say, Tucker, I suppose you wouldn’t want -to――to sort of explain to him how it is, eh? So he wouldn’t think he -was getting away with it!” - -“Frankly, I would not, Tubb,” answered Toby, smiling. “Just forget all -about him and remember Broadwood. That’s your game!” - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -A QUARTER-BACK RUN - - -The Second Team had a schedule of its own, although it wasn’t very -lengthy. It consisted of two games, the first with Greenburg High -School and the second with Latimer High School. The Greenburg game came -off the afternoon that the First played Carrel’s, and in consequence -Toby missed the latter contest. He didn’t mind that, however, for he -had a busy and enjoyable time in Greenburg. Besides, he got the full -and detailed story of the Carrel game from Arnold that evening and the -next day and for one or two days after that. Arnold was very full of -football just now and threatened to be somewhat of a bore until the -Broadwood contest was done with! - -The Greenburg athletic field lay on the side of town away from the -river and Yardley and was a rather uneven piece of turf enclosed by a -dilapidated high board fence. There was a running track, badly in need -of cinders and attention, two weather-stained stands and an unpainted -shack that did duty as a dressing-room. The game was not very important -from a Greenburg standpoint, and the attendance this afternoon was -not large. Usually Greenburg won from the Yardley Second Team without -much difficulty, and although this fall High School had heard stories -of unusual prowess on the Second Team’s part she was still not much -worried. Being a half holiday at the various mills and factories, of -which Greenburg held many, the “tough” element of the town――or city, -since that is what Greenburg officially was――was well represented. -The mill operatives who had paid their quarters for admittance to the -game were strongly pro-High School in their sympathies. Or perhaps -it would be nearer the truth to say that they were enthusiastically -anti-Yardley. In their belief all Yardley students were silk-stockinged -snobs, which, while far from the fact, was enough to set the mill crowd -against the school. They came supplied with peanuts and, perhaps a -hundred in number, took possession of one of the small, tumble-down -stands and made their presence known right from the start. But aside -from shouting weird cheers for Greenburg, singing, parodying the -Yardley slogan in mincing falsetto and shying an occasional peanut at -the visitors’ bench in front of them, they kept the peace during most -of the game. - -Captain Beech wanted to win to-day’s contest, since last year High -School had caught the Blue team in a slump and triumphed decisively -over it by a memorable score of 38 to 6, and so, with Coach Burtis’s -permission, the Second started with the best line-up she could devise. -Mr. Burtis had awarded himself a vacation and gone home over the -week-end, leaving the captain in undisputed authority. Toby didn’t get -into the game until the third period was well along, for Frick, who had -started it, played his best and a touchdown by Yardley in the first -five minutes of play gave the visitors an advantage that the home team -was not able to overcome in the initial half. The Blue defense was -too much for the High School eleven although the latter had plenty of -talent in its ranks and played a stiff, hard attack. On the other hand, -Yardley had her troubles with the High School line, and that single -touchdown had been more than half luck. A fortunate forward pass from -the middle of the field had put the Blue within striking distance of -High School’s goal and a penalty for holding had given her five yards -more. Then Frick had fumbled and Nelson had followed the trickling ball -back, and, having captured it, found a chance around High School’s -left. He should have been stopped half a dozen times, but somehow he -sifted through the enemy ranks and landed the pigskin up against the -left-hand post before he was brought down. - -High School accepted her mishap cheerfully and set to work to do a -little scoring on her own behalf, but the half ended without the -ball’s having approached either goal again. The second half was eight -minutes old when Captain Beech found that Frick’s work was becoming -slow and uncertain and sent him off. High School had forced the ball -to Yardley’s thirty-one yards and still had possession when Toby went -in. He was followed a minute later by Lovett, who was called on to -strengthen the right end of the Blue’s line, around which High School -had made several gains since the period had begun. Lovett, however, -proved no more able to stop those gains than had Connell, and High -School swept on to the Blue’s twenty-yard-line in three plays and set -her supporters shouting triumphantly. With the cheers of the High -School students came approving yells from the mill contingent; hoarse -cries of “Eat ’em up, Greenburg!” “Kill the sissies!” “Put it over, -Greenburg!” Then, with a score almost won, the High School left end -was caught hugging Stover affectionately to his breast, and High -School was set back fifteen yards. The mill hands didn’t approve of -that and made it known loudly and continuously, hissing and whistling -and hurling sarcastic remarks at the referee. After two plays which -netted only short gains, High School tried a drop-kick from her thirty -yards and failed badly. - -The mill operatives still had hurt feelings and were now howling -continuously. The referee was accused of favoritism, treachery and -several other faults, and Yardley of being “pikers” and “yellow dogs.” -Matters became no more peaceful when Toby, getting the kick-off just -short of his five-yard-line, dodged it back to his twenty-three. Watson -went in for Sid Creel at center a minute or two later and Toby began -a systematic assault on High School’s middle positions. Stover gained -consistently and White ploughed through less frequently but for longer -gains. High School changed center and left guard and Toby switched his -attack to the right guard and tackle. There, however, he had less luck, -and, well into High School territory now, he called for a forward, and -White, from kicking position, threw successfully to Mawson on High -School’s nineteen, a long hard heave that brought applause even from -the enemy. Mawson reached the sixteen yards before he was tackled and -the fourteen before he was stopped. - -The third period ended and the teams changed sides. High School fought -desperately to hold her opponent and the attack was thrice piled up for -little or no gain. Choosing between the possible loss of the ball and a -possible three points from a field-goal, Toby selected the latter and -Beech went back for the kick. But High School tore through the Yardley -left and blocked the ball sufficiently to deflect it harmlessly to the -right. That incident gladdened the mill hands considerably and they -cheered hoarsely. - -High School tried a forward-pass on first down and got away with it -for twelve yards. Plunges at the line netted her a second first down. -Three subsequent attacks left her four yards shy of her distance and -she punted to Yardley’s thirty. There Stover caught and ran back to -the thirty-seven. He was hurt in the tackle and gave place to Lippman. -Toby tried a quarter-back run after a delayed pass and made a scanty -five yards after going half across the field. High School held against -two plunges and White punted outside at the enemy’s twenty-eight. -High School uncorked a puzzling open formation play that sent the -full-back around her short end without interference and almost got him -free. But Lippman secured the runner after a fifteen-yard advance. A -forward-pass went wrong and, after attempting each end, High School -punted. Lippman juggled the catch, recovered it and was downed for no -gain on his twenty yards. Toby called on White and made seven straight -through High School’s center, and Lippman went outside right tackle -for four more and the distance. Then, with the end of the game drawing -near, Lippman punted on second down from his thirty to High School’s -thirty-eight. Again the latter tried her open formation play, but this -time Yardley was prepared and the runner was downed for an eight-yard -loss. A forward-pass gave High School ten and a wide end run two more. -Then came Waterloo, for a High School back, plunging toward the Yardley -right tackle, lost the pigskin as he struck the line and the ball -bounded merrily into the air, crossed the heaving lines and was pulled -down by Nelson. - -The best the Blue’s left half could do was hold tight to his prize, -for half the opposing team was on top of him in the moment. But it was -Yardley’s ball on High School’s forty-nine yards, and, with less than -two minutes remaining, the game was as good as won. Captain Beech ran -in four substitutes, about all he had left, and on the first play, one -of them, Crawford, at full-back, went through the Greenburg line like a -streak of lightning and dodged all but the quarter-back, planting the -ball on High School’s thirty-two yards when he was captured. A penalty -for off-side on the next play set Yardley back, but Lippman carried the -pigskin around left end for three and Crawford made three more, and, -on fourth down, faking a kick from placement, Toby took the ball and -scampered off around the Greenburg right behind good interference and -might have crossed the goal line had he not, as he put it later, fallen -over his own feet! The stumble allowed a pursuing High School player to -drag him down six yards short of the last white streak. - -Then came a heart-stirring climax to a contest that had never failed -of interest. The stands had emptied ere this and the audience had been -following the game along the side-lines. Now it congregated at the -corner of the field nearest the play, flowing over onto the gridiron -in spite of the efforts of a few ineffectual officials. In the front -of the throng were the mill operatives, noisy and unfriendly to the -besiegers, more than willing, it seemed, to take a hand in the game. -Toby and Grover Beech consulted while the crowd jeered and hooted. -Toby wanted to try a forward-pass over the line, but Captain Beech -was fearful of it save as a last resort, and it was decided to batter -the opponent’s line so long as gains resulted and then, faking a -try-at-goal, attempt a short pass over the center. - -Toby called on Crawford and sent him banging at the enemy’s -guard-tackle hole on the left. But the hole didn’t develop and the gain -was less than a yard. Beech sent Crawford out and brought in Lansing, -a heavy youngster whose slowness had kept him on the bench most of the -season. The unfriendly critics, edging over the bounds, made scurrilous -remarks anent Lansing’s personal appearance and had that poor youth, -already made nervous by the honor so unexpectedly thrust upon him, a -mass of blushes by the time he was in position. But blushes didn’t take -away from Lansing’s weight or strength, and, with Lippman carrying the -pigskin, Lansing thrust the runner through for three of the remaining -five yards. There was some rough playing in that fracas, and Toby -discovered that he had sustained a very ensanguined nose. On third -down, with just over two yards to go, Lippman tried a cross-buck and -squirmed over the crouched backs of the foe for another three feet, -amidst an appalling shouting from the belligerent onlookers. The mill -contingent was now so close behind the defenders that it was hard to -tell who was a player and who a spectator, and Captain Beech called -for time and pointed out the fact. The Greenburg players tried to push -the throng back, but, although it good-naturedly shuffled a few yards -away, it pressed forward once more as soon as the teams again lined up. -The referee and umpire scolded and threatened to call the game, but -were only hooted at. To the credit of the High School students present -it may be said that they did nothing to encourage the mill hands and -themselves remained, if not outside the field, at least away from the -scene of play. In the end, finding pleas and threats alike idle, the -referee let the game go on. - -“We’ll never score against that mob,” whispered Beech disgustedly to -Toby. “They’ll jump in and push us back. Might as well call it off. I -don’t want any mix-up with those muckers!” - -Toby nodded agreement, viewing the grinning, inimical countenances -grouped behind the opposing line thoughtfully. Then: “Let me work this, -cap, will you? I think there’s just one chance!” - -“Go ahead,” said Beech, “but you’ll never make a forward with that gang -back there to get in the way.” - -“No, a forward’s no good, but――Signals! Come on now, Yardley! One more -punch! Signals! 31――51――27――――” - -“_Signals!_” cried Lippman wildly, questioningly. - -“Shut up!” hissed Toby. “Change signals! 61――54――27――9! 61――54――――” - -Forward plunged the backs, away sped Toby, scuttling along the back of -the short line, the ball snuggled in his elbow. Cries and grunts and -the rasping of canvas-clad bodies filled the air. Then a shriek from an -excited, despairing high school spectator: “_There he goes! Get him, -you mutts!_” - -The play had been close to the left-hand corner of the field and the -onlookers had crowded there, along the side-line for a short distance, -but principally back of the goal-line. At the other side of the goal, -save for a sprinkling of High School girls and their escorts, the field -was clear. Toward this side of the gridiron sped Toby. Only Lovett, -throwing his opponent in as he plunged through, went with him. But the -right end was sufficient. A Greenburg back met him and the two sprawled -to the turf together, and Toby, turning on his heel, headed swiftly -in. A yard or two short of the line he dodged the only remaining -opposition, a despairing High School quarter, and circled back toward -the goal. But now there were plenty to challenge. A High School player -clutched at him and missed and then Toby found himself in a struggling -sea of angry mill operatives. Farquhar tried to reach him, but was -pushed aside, and a dozen hands fought for the ball. Toby clung to it -as tightly as he could and sought to fight his way forward, but the -crowd was ugly. Some one struck him on the mouth and, as his head went -back, the ball was dislodged. The yells about him merged in a laugh of -triumph and, shoved aside, he sank to the ground, while the mill crowd -went piling off toward the entrance, the ball in their possession. None -tried to stop them. - -The officials allowed the touchdown, but Captain Beech, helping a -battered Toby to his feet, declined the privilege of trying goal -with another ball. “Had enough, thanks,” he said coldly. Then, to an -apologetic and regretful Greenburg Captain: “This is the last game you -fellows will get with us, Townsend. Come on, Yardley! Never mind the -cheer!” - -Toby was not the only one of the visiting team who had sustained a -memento of that closing minute. Three other fellows who had sought to -reach him had been punched, or kicked, and, including such slighter -injuries as had fallen to the Yardley Second during the game, it was a -somewhat messed up aggregation that journeyed back to Wissining that -afternoon. The last they saw of the mill hands they were having a -remarkable football game with the stolen ball in the road outside the -field, too busy to more than hoot at the visitors as they passed. - -“I’d like to fetch a couple of dozen more fellows down here and wipe -the ground up with them,” muttered Beech. “Bet you that’s our last game -with Greenburg for awhile, Toby.” - -Toby didn’t offer to accept the wager, which was fortunate for his -modest resources since, a few days later, the Yardley faculty, having -probed the incident, struck Greenburg High School from the list of -approved opponents. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -ARNOLD HAS A THOUGHT - - -The First Team came back hard that afternoon, rolling up a total of 25 -points against Carrel’s and holding the opponent to a single touchdown. -Yardley scored in each period, starting in the first with a field-goal -shortly after play began, adding a touchdown and goal in the second, -a touchdown in the third and another field-goal and touchdown in the -last. Carrel’s did her scoring in the third period, following a fumble -in the back-field by Quarterback Noyes. Securing the ball on Yardley’s -twenty-two yards, the visitor worked a double pass that sent her -full-back romping over the line without much opposition. She failed at -an easy goal, however, and had to be content with six points. - -Of course Toby heard all this and much more from Arnold that evening, -for Arnold was as full of the game’s details as a plum-pudding is full -of raisins――or ought to be! But it was after Toby had sketched the -Second Team’s fracas with the mill hands, for Toby’s face demanded an -explanation. Besides a contused nose, honestly earned in combat, he -had a large lump on his left cheek bone. “Some day, maybe,” he said -wistfully, “I’m going to meet up with the fellow who handed me that. -When I do, if it isn’t in church, I’m going to hand it back to him.” - -“Think you’d know him?” asked Arnold. “Thought you said it was a mob, -and that――――” - -“It was a mob, but I saw the chap that walloped me. Yes, I’ll know him -all right if only by his hair.” - -“What about his hair?” - -“It was――――” Toby hesitated――“it was red!” - -Arnold whooped delightedly. “What do you know? Honest, Toby? Say, I’d -like to have seen that! Red against――hm――――” - -“Say it,” said Toby, grinning. “His was redder than mine, too, and -that’s going some! And he had freckles all over his nose and looked -like one of those tough boys in the movies. Yes, I’ll know him. Don’t -you worry.” - -“Well, you’d better bathe that lump he gave you. It makes you look -sort of lopsided. In fact, T. Tucker, that and your nose give you -a positively villainous appearance! Frank’s got a hard-looking phiz -to-night, too. Some one put a foot on it, he says. I told him he should -be more careful and not leave his face lying around on the ground, but -it didn’t seem to make a hit with him. Some folks are like that; can’t -take advice for a cent. Say, Toby, old thing, it was some game. Listen! -They won the toss and gave us the kick-off and Larry――――” - -Arnold had started, and Toby laid back on the window-seat and hugged -his knees and said “Uh-huh” at intervals and listened as attentively as -he could. But presently he got to thinking about his morrow’s letter -home, and then about that scholarship after the mid-year, and was -yanked back to the present by Arnold’s: “Isn’t that the very dickens, -Toby?” - -“Huh? Oh, yes, mighty tough! Who did you say did it?” - -“I don’t know who did it! What do you mean, did it? It was the hurt he -got in the Brown and Young’s game, I tell you. They thought it was all -right, and they took the bandage off and everything, and then to-day he -just gave it a twist or something!” - -“Who did?” - -“Why, Curran! Say, haven’t you heard anything I’ve been saying?” - -“Of course! But you talk so fast! As I understand it, Curran got hurt -in last Saturday’s game and to-day he twisted his ankle――――” - -“It’s his knee, you idiot!” - -“I meant knee; and had to quit playing. Who went in for him?” - -“Errol Noyes. He did well enough except for a fumble that gave them -their score. If it hadn’t been for that we’d have――――” - -“Fumbles will happen in the best regulated back-fields,” murmured Toby. -“I think Noyes is pretty good, myself.” - -“I’m not saying he isn’t,” answered Arnold impatiently, “but, -man-alive, he isn’t in Will’s class! And if Will doesn’t get back――――” - -“Doesn’t get back! Who says he won’t get back?” - -“That’s what Fanning thinks. He’s all cut-up about it. They’re going to -take an X-ray to-morrow. The doc thinks he will have to keep off it for -a month.” - -“Gee, that is tough! I didn’t realize what you meant! Of course, Noyes -isn’t the player that Curran is, but he’s pretty good. Who else have -you got?” - -“Winfield, but he’s no earthly use.” Arnold was gloomily silent for a -moment. Then he gave vent to an explosive: “_By jingo, Toby!_” - -“What?” Toby brought a startled gaze back from the darkening world -outside the window. Arnold was staring at him fixedly. - -“Nothing,” answered Arnold slowly. But he kept on staring in a curious, -rapt way until Toby said in a patient, kindly voice: “It’s all right, -Arn. It’s me, Toby. I room here with you, you know. That’s my bed over -there. Don’t you remember me? Try to think, Arn!” - -“Shut up,” laughed the other. “I――I just thought of something.” - -“Try to forget it then,” Toby advised. “You looked like a sick cow. -Say, you――you didn’t get a blow on the head this afternoon, did you? -Sometimes an injury of that sort――But no, it wouldn’t affect you that -way. That dome of yours would just give forth a hollow sound――――” - -“Listen,” interrupted Arnold earnestly. “If Curran _is_ out of the game -for the rest of the season, why, don’t you see what might happen?” - -“Yes, we might get licked by Broadwood. Still, we may anyhow, so what’s -the good of――――” - -“Oh, use your bean! We’ll have to find a substitute for Noyes, of -course! Maybe Mr. Lyle will try Clarke. Sim’s not much of an end, and -he played quarter some last year. But then again he might go to the -Second for what he needs.” - -“Who, Clarke?” - -“No, Mr. Lyle, you ninny. And if he did he might pick you, T. Tucker!” - -“Yes, and he might not,” jeered Toby. “Frick’s got first call, you poor -old dummy.” - -“I’m not so sure! I’ve heard that you were doing just as good work as -Frick, Toby.” - -“Oh, you hear a lot of things if you let your ears flap,” answered Toby -rudely. - -“The idea doesn’t interest you, then?” asked Arnold sarcastically. - -“I wouldn’t say that,” Toby replied, getting a new grip on his knees. -“I have a comprehensive intellect, Arn, and all sorts of things that -wouldn’t appeal to ordinary minds――――” - -“Oh, go to thunder! I hope Frick does get it, you poor fish!” - -“May the best man win,” said Toby cheerfully. “Them’s my sentiments. -Come on. Let’s eat.” - -By Monday it was pretty generally known that Will Curran was lost -to the football team for the rest of the season. The injury to his -knee sustained in the Brown and Young’s game had proved far more -serious than at first supposed and an X-ray examination had shown -that a cast was necessary. To be sure, the Greenburg surgeon, called -into consultation by the school doctor, spoke vaguely of “benefits -reasonably to be expected from a fortnight’s care,” but no one was -fooled, least of all Curran. By the middle of the week he was out on -crutches, but he was there to help in the coaching of the backs and not -to play. The blow was a sore one to the school, and for several days -gloom a foot thick hung over it. Then, since Coach Lyle went on about -his business of developing a winning football team quite as cheerfully -and whole-heartedly as ever, and since Errol Noyes buckled down and -worked like a Trojan to fill Curran’s shoes, the gloom thinned out and -vanished altogether. After all, the reports from Broadwood were far -from disheartening: not the newspaper stuff written by the Broadwood -correspondents, but the underground rumors that percolated somehow from -the rival school through Greenburg and thence up the hill to Yardley. -Broadwood was but three miles beyond Greenburg, and since her students -came to that town for purchases and amusement, just as Yardley fellows -did, stories were bound to leak out. The local rumors just now had it -that Broadwood was having much difficulty in filling her back-field -with the right material. In fact, the rumors were borne out by the -evidence of the last two contests in which the Green had taken part. -For Broadwood to be defeated by Franklin was something unheard of and -unthought of, but that had happened two weeks since. And last Saturday, -in the Nordham game, she had managed to squeeze through to victory -by a mere seven points. So, as the more optimistic of the Yardley -enthusiasts pointed out, even the loss of Curran was not sufficient -cause for conceding a Broadwood victory. - -Coach Lyle did as Arnold had surmised he might do. He took Sim Clarke -from the ranks of the end substitutes and turned him back into a -quarter, and it was generally allowed that, with Curran coaching him, -Sim might develop into a valuable player. Meanwhile, Noyes worked -fairly satisfactorily. Indeed, in the Nordham game the next Saturday -he ran the team so well that even Tom Fanning took heart and stopped -predicting to a few close friends――comprising most of the team!――a -victory for the rival school. Toby heard from Sid Creel that Roy -Frick was so certain of being taken to the First that he had tried -to persuade Phil Stone to give him the First Team signal code! That, -Frick had explained, was so he could take hold without loss of time. -Toby had not put much value on Arnold’s suggestion that one T. Tucker -might be elevated to the varsity ranks and consequently was not at all -disappointed. - -The Second took a beating every time it went against the First -nowadays, for the latter was fast rounding into late season form. Now -and again it managed to throw a scare into Coach Lyle’s bunch, but -that is the best it could do. Ordinarily, if it kept the First to two -scores, or managed to score itself, it swaggered quite sickeningly. -Toby and Frick still struggled for supremacy, with little to choose -between them, it seemed. Frick undoubtedly excelled Toby in individual -work, being surer in tackling and in running with the ball. On the -other hand, Toby was rather more steady when it came to catching punts -and could get more out of the team. Perhaps the latter ability was due -to the fact that he was far better liked than Frick. - -The Yardley-Nordham game was uninteresting save as it gave the Blue -a chance to study comparative scores. Nordham played a listless -game, partly owing to the absence of three players who had been hurt -in the Broadwood contest, and, although she twice managed to hold -Yardley under her goal-posts, she proved an easy victim, the home team -winning by a score of 19 to 0. Compared to Broadwood’s 7 to 0 victory, -this looked pretty good until one recalled that Nordham was lacking -three regulars and was evidently still feeling the effects of last -week’s contest. Coach Lyle worked in most of his second-string and -third-string players in the last period. If he hadn’t, there might have -been another score to Yardley’s credit. The cheering section kept very -busy that afternoon, trying out several new songs and rehearsing all -the old ones in preparation for the big game, in spite of the fact that -a mean, dispiriting drizzle fell all during the last half. Clarke got a -chance to show what he had for a few minutes in the fourth period and -gave the impression of having very little. But as he had been at it -less than a week it was hardly fair to judge him harshly. - -So, with only one minor game remaining, Yardley set her face hopefully -toward the supreme test two weeks hence. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -AN ENCOUNTER ON THE BEACH - - -“Doing anything this afternoon, Tucker?” - -George Tubb paused with a foot on the stairs to the third floor -of Whitson and put the question with elaborate carelessness. Toby -hesitated the fraction of a moment. He knew whither the inquiry led -and he wanted to answer in the affirmative, but he really wasn’t doing -anything special, and Arnold could never be counted on for Sunday -afternoon entertainment, and so he said, after a scarcely noticeable -pause: “Why, no, I guess not, Tubb.” - -“Wondered if you’d care to take a walk somewhere,” continued the other, -hurriedly. “It’s a corking day and――and everything.” - -“All right. About three? I’ve got a letter to finish.” - -“Any time.” Tubb’s tone held perfect indifference. Toby felt as if he -had made the proposal himself and as if Tubb were doing him a favor! -For an instant he was riled and had something tart on the end of his -tongue. But he kept it there, and only said: “Three then. So long!” - -Tubb’s feet pounded on up the stairs and Toby pushed open the door of -Number 12. Inside, his slight frown vanished and he chuckled. “Silly -chump!” he murmured. “Afraid I’d guess how much he wanted me to go with -him. Gee, I wonder why! I’m never more than fairly decent to him. Must -be my――my fatal beauty that attracts him!” And Toby’s chuckle grew into -a laugh as he caught sight of his smiling but unclassic features in the -mirror over Arnold’s dresser. - -The trouble with writing letters after a Sunday dinner is that a Sunday -dinner is likely to be a rather hearty affair, affecting not only the -body with torpidity but the brain as well. So it was that while the -first three pages of Toby’s weekly epistle were brilliant enough the -last page fell off badly in interest. In fact, he only reached the -bottom of it by desperate effort and by shortening the lines. Then, -when he had thumped a stamp on the corner of the envelope and found cap -and sweater, he clattered down and dropped the letter in the mail-box -in front of Oxford. After that he backed away to the edge of the -Prospect, as the grassy terrace in front of the buildings was called, -fixed his gaze on the window of Number 31 and hailed. - -“O Tubb! A-ay, Tubb!” - -After several seconds had elapsed, Tubb’s face appeared in the open -window and he looked down at Toby with simulated surprise. Then, as -he looked, recollection dawned, and, “Oh! All right, Tucker! Be right -down!” he called. - -Toby kicked at a pebble. “Serve him right if I beat it,” he muttered -vexedly. “Cheeky beggar! Still, he did it pretty well.” Unwilling -admiration softened his rancor, and, “I’ll wait,” he added to himself. - -Tubb clattered out of the entrance by the time that resolution of -clemency had been reached and the two crossed the Prospect as if by -mutual consent and took the graveled path that descended the terrace -until it reached the winding road at the foot of the hill. Then, “Which -way?” asked Toby. - -“I don’t care,” answered Tubb. “It’s warmer along the beach, I guess. -The wind’s sort of west to-day.” - -“About northwest by north,” said Toby, to whom the direction of the -wind and the look of the sky were matters of real interest. “It will -be good and cold to-night, I guess.” - -They crossed the road and went on by the path, over the deep cut -through which the shining rails of the double tracks ran. Westward, -they could follow the straight roadway to the Wissining station and the -drawbridge beyond, eastward the railway vanished presently around a -curve. A rod or two further on the path led into the woods, dividing, -and they followed the right-hand trail. The oaks and beeches still held -most of their leaves, but the other trees had stripped their branches -for the winter, and underfoot the colorful litter rustled pleasantly. -A moment later the Sound showed through the trees, softly blue in the -afternoon sunlight. There wasn’t much talk until the two boys had -reached the beach and turned eastward along the firm, hard sand. The -tide was well out, and just above the little ripples of waves gleaming -expanses of wet sand caught the sun blindingly. They by no means had -the beach to themselves, for the mild afternoon had brought out many -of the villagers and not a few of the school fellows, and, looking -ahead down the gently-curving strand, they could see many darker specks -against its golden surface. Out on the water a few pleasure craft -were flitting under a light but steady breeze and Plum Island looked -startlingly near. - -“A peach of a day,” said Toby, breathing in the familiar scent of -sea and shore, and experiencing a tiny qualm of homesickness. Tubb -assented. He was looking fixedly at two boys who were approaching them -along the beach. A moment later he grunted. - -“There comes Frick,” he said. “Guess I’ll ask him something.” - -“No, you won’t,” said Toby decisively. “You promised to behave -yourself.” - -“I didn’t promise,” denied Tubb. “I said maybe I’d――Anyhow, I’m not -going to _do_ anything; I just want to let him understand――――” - -“You keep your mouth closed, Tubb.” Toby took his arm tightly. “No -nonsense now!” - -“We-ell――――” Tubb eyed the approaching couple irresolutely. Frick’s -companion was a stranger to both, a chap whose name Toby believed to be -Cotting, a tall, lanky youth with a wide mouth and outstanding ears. -Just now he appeared to be intensely amused at something Frick was -saying, and his high-pitched laughter, accompanied by surreptitious -glances at Toby and George, was too much for the latter. Wresting his -arm from Toby’s restraining clutch, Tubb swung off to meet the others, -who were passing a dozen yards up the beach. Toby followed more slowly, -thinking unflattering things of Tubb. - -“Talking about me, were you?” challenged Tubb from a few paces away. -Cotting shot a startled and questioning glance at Frick. Evidently -Cotting had no desire for trouble. Frick, however, pushed forward -swaggeringly. - -“What if I was?” he demanded, scowling. - -“Don’t do it!” Tubb’s voice had an unsuspected edge, and Frick stared -an instant in surprise. - -“Calm yourself, kid, calm yourself,” he laughed finally. “I talk about -any one I like to. Then what?” - -Toby “butted in” at that moment, nodding coldly to Frick and joining -arms with Tubb again. “Come on, Tubb, let’s hurry,” he urged. - -“That’s right, Tucker,” said Frick approvingly. “He might get hurt if -he stays around here.” - -Cotting had stopped a pace or two away and was digging a hole in the -sand with the toe of one shoe in a very absorbed way. Toby found time -to be amused at his tactful withdrawal. - -“I’m not going to get hurt,” responded Tubb. “Don’t worry about me, -Frick. And I’m not going to hurt you――to-day. I just stopped to tell -you that I’m keeping my affair till later on. Didn’t want you to think -you were getting away with what you did last week, because you’re not. -It’s chalked up against you and you’ll get what’s coming to you when -it’s time. There’s no hurry――――” - -“Shut up, Tubb,” begged Toby. “Come on!” - -“Mind your own business, Tucker!” snarled Frick. “You’re a nice one -to talk that stuff! I’ve got something for you, too, you swell-headed -little carrot! As for you, Tubb, or whatever your silly name is, I’m -ready whenever you are! Right now if you like! I’ll take on the two of -you! Come on! What do you say?” - -“There’s going to be no scrapping here,” said Toby resolutely. “There’s -going to be none anywhere for awhile. You keep what you’ve got for me, -Frick. I’ll ask for it when I’m ready. Tubb, you――――” - -“You’ll get it when _I’m_, ready!” growled Frick. “I’d give it to -you now if――――” He glanced over the beach and, furtively, toward the -school, whose upper windows were visible above the stretch of woods. - -“Yes, and get thrown out of school,” assented Toby grimly. “Not for -me, thanks! There’s time enough. Come on, Tubb.” - -“All right,” Tubb smiled cheerfully. “No use getting in trouble about -this guy. See you again, Frick. Be good to yourself!” - -“Yes, run along, little boys,” answered Frick, laughing angrily. “For a -plugged nickel I’d bang your fool heads together!” - -Toby tightened his hold on Tubb’s arm, but Tubb only laughed and went -on. “Gee, that did me a lot of good,” he said contentedly. “He’s a big -bluff, I guess, Tucker.” - -“Maybe. Still, they say he’s pretty handy with his fists. Anyhow, I’m -glad you’re out of that, Tubb. We’d all been finished for fair if you -two had scrapped here on Sunday afternoon!” - -“I forgot about its being Sunday,” said Tubb. “I suppose that would -have made it worse. Say, he’s got it in for you, too, hasn’t he?” - -“Yes, I guess so,” answered Toby tranquilly. “But I should feel faint! -Anyhow, he will have to keep the peace until football’s over. I don’t -intend to lose my place on the Second for the likes of him!” - -“Say, why doesn’t that ninny take you over to the First?” asked Tubb. - -“Meaning Mr. Lyle? You have pretty names for your Big Boss! Well, I’ve -been thinking about that, Tubb, and I’ve just about concluded that it’s -because he doesn’t want me!” - -“But, joking aside,” protested the other earnestly, “you play a better -game than that guy Clarke, and I’ll bet you could beat Noyes, too, if -you had a chance. Noyes is scared all the time. He gets his signals all -balled up. No one feels any――whatyoucallit――any――any――――” - -“You mean that he doesn’t inspire his team with confidence in his -ability to――er――meet successfully the――――” - -“Say, what’s wrong with you?” demanded Tubb anxiously. - -Toby chuckled. “That’s what comes of trying to make practical -application of what I’ve learned in my English course. Just as soon as -I try to speak the language correctly some one jumps on me! It’s no -use!” - -“I should say not!” agreed Tubb, relievedly. “You talk like an -examination paper!” - -“Then I’ll stop. Those are things I don’t want to think of. By the way, -how are you getting along in your classes, Tubb?” - -“Fine. I never had much trouble with studies. Guess I learn easily.” - -“I think you must,” responded Toby thoughtfully. “Wish I did. Shall we -turn back?” - -“Do you mean that you have trouble with your studies, Tucker?” asked -Tubb when they were retracing their steps. “I thought you were a -regular shark for work.” - -“A shark,” answered Toby, “is a much misunderstood fish. Most folks -think that a shark swallows things whole, but he doesn’t. He has to -bite off a chunk at a time, just as I do. Where we differ, Mister Shark -and I, is on chewing. He doesn’t have to chew what he bites off, and -I do. I have to chew it a long while. And even then it isn’t always -digested. I guess, Tubb, the truth of the matter is that I can learn -easily enough if I set out to do it, but I have a rotten fashion of -trying to do two hours’ study in one!” - -Tubb laughed. “I know. If the instructor’s easy you can get by that way -sometimes, but here at Yardley you can’t. I found that out the first -week. Well, I suppose we’ve got to learn the dreary stuff, eh? What’s -the good of it, though? A lot of it, I mean?” - -“Don’t know, Tubb. I’ve wondered. Seems to me sometimes that if -they’d teach us less Greek and Latin and higher mathematics and more -things like horseshoeing and plumbing and――and ditch-digging we’d have -a better chance when we got through. A lot of us will never get to -college. I hope to, but I don’t know. If I don’t, what use to me is -Latin and trigonometry and Greek? I suppose I’ll build boats most of my -life――maybe. Being able to read the Odyssey in the original odiousness -isn’t going to help me a whole lot!” - -“Well, there are schools where a fellow can go and learn those things,” -said Tubb. “Blacksmithing and electricity and――and practical things, -you know.” - -“Yes, but why not teach a little of them at every school? Seems to me -a lot of us would be a sight better off if we knew something about a -practical trade when we got out of prep school. Of course, we couldn’t -learn much, but we might have a start. I guess it’ll come to that some -day, Tubb.” - -“Really? Well, I wouldn’t mind. I don’t know what I’m going to do when -I get through here. Go home and tend store, I guess.” - -“Store? What kind of a store is it?” - -“Oh, just a regular general store like you find in small towns. Dad -sells everything from sugar to plows. And he makes just enough to -live on, I guess. He used to be in the lumber business, and he did -pretty well for awhile. Then――something happened and it went bust. No, -by jiminy, I won’t do it, Tucker! Running a country store isn’t good -enough! I’ll be a――a lawyer or something first!” - -“Sounds desperate the way you say it,” laughed Toby. “I’d sort of like -to be a doctor myself, only you can’t be President if you’re a doctor, -and of course I’d rather be President.” - -“Can’t you?” asked Tubb innocently. “Why not?” - -“Don’t know.” Toby shook his head. “You never heard of a President -who’d been a doctor first, did you? Maybe there’s something in the -Constitution prohibiting it.” - -“You say the craziest things!” laughed Tubb. Then, soberly: “Do you -mean that you really think about things like that, Tucker?” he asked. - -“Things like what? Being a doctor?” - -“No, being President. I never do.” - -“Sure, why not? Some one’s got to be President, Tubb. Might as well be -me if I’m fitted for it. Or you, if you are! Every President was a kid -once, you know. I wonder if they ever thought about it when they were -kids. Maybe you’re not supposed to. Anyway, if you’re a lawyer and I’m -a doctor, you’ll get the presidency, because lawyers seem to have it -all over every other profession when it comes to copping that job!” - -Later, climbing the hill again, Toby asked: “Changed your mind any -about this place, Tubb?” - -“How do you mean?” But, in spite of assumed ignorance, he understood, -and in the next breath he went on. “Yes, I have, Tucker,” he said -frankly. “I said a lot of things I didn’t believe, anyhow. I had an -awful grouch at first. Guess you――guess you must have thought I was a -perfect blamed nuisance!” - -“N-no, not exactly. You got me riled pretty often, though.” - -“Did I? I suppose I must have. Well――――” Tubb hesitated. “Say, I want -you to know that I appreciate everything, Tucker; everything you did -to make me――make me get onto myself. Of course I know that I’m not the -sort of fellow that other fellows take to, but――but I’ve been――sort -of――getting along lately. Football’s done it, I guess, and you started -me on that. That’s why I say that I’d like you to know――――” - -“All right.” Toby chuckled. “Tubb, I decided a long while ago that when -you got straightened out here I was going to do something to prove to -my own satisfaction that――well, that you were a regular fellow.” - -“What was it?” asked the other, puzzled. - -“I was going to call you something,” answered Toby gravely. “I guess -you have got straightened out pretty well and so I guess I’ll do it -right now.” They had reached the second floor of Whitson and Toby had -started toward Number 12. “See you later, Wash-Tub!” - -Then his door closed behind him hurriedly. But George Tubb, continuing -his way upstairs after a moment, looked anything but vengeful! - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -TUBB BARKS A KNUCKLE - - -Yardley entered the final stage of football that week with its -customary enthusiasm and single-mindedness. There had been already two -or three meetings in Assembly Hall, on the third floor of Oxford, for -the purpose of practicing cheers and songs, but those gatherings paled -into insignificance with Monday night’s affair and kept on paling as -the last fortnight before the Broadwood game grew toward its end. There -were mass meetings on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of that next to the -last week, and at each successive meeting the cheering was heartier, -the singing louder and the enthusiasm more intense. Every one who had -anything to say――and some who hadn’t――addressed the students, the -Musical Clubs played their best and if fervor counted in the final -score, Broadwood, to quote Sid Creel, was “a gone coon!” - -And on the two gridirons life was very strenuous indeed those six days. -The First was looking toward the big game and nothing else, and the -game with St. John’s Academy, which, contrary to custom, was to be -played away from home, was viewed merely as an incident. New plays, -not many in number but exacting of execution, which had purposely been -held back until now, were being learned and the final touches were -being laid on. Coach Lyle had two graduates to aid him during the last -fortnight, and he needed them, for there were still weak spots in the -Blue’s line-up. - -The Second Team, too, went through a week of intensive work, both with -a view to giving the First some good hard tussles and with her own -second and last game in sight. She was to play Latimer High School on -the First Team gridiron on Saturday, and, with the big team away, the -contest was sure to draw a crowd and attain a semblance of importance, -and the Second, not at all loath to enjoy the limelight for once, was -resolved to make a good showing. Toby discovered suddenly on Tuesday -that his triumph over Roy Frick had apparently been gained, for during -three desperate and hard-fought periods against the First he remained -at quarter while his rival graced the bench. And Toby did himself -justice that afternoon if ever he had. To be sure the First Team -smashed out a score in each period, but she had to work for each, and -in the third twelve minutes the Second made a forty-six-yard advance -from mid-field to the First’s five-yard line, where, foiled thrice in -attempts at rushing, Toby tossed a short forward to Mawson, who fell -across the goal-line for a glorious six points. Listening to the storm -of reproach and accusation hurled at the First by their coaches, Toby -almost regretted the triumph! - -Toby was used hard in that game. It seemed that nothing could stop the -opposing ends from getting down under punts, while anything in the -shape of protection for the catcher was invariably lacking. That wild -Tubb was the worst offender from Toby’s point of view. Tubb was forever -rushing on him the instant the ball settled into his arms, and Tubb -had learned to tackle now. Some of the hardest thumps Toby got that -afternoon were due to Tubb. Then toward the last of the play, Toby got -into a side-line mix-up and Jim Rose, who weighed close to two hundred, -sat on his neck in a way that spelled discomfort then and afterwards. -On the whole, although he had had a corking good time and was conscious -of having deported himself rather well, Toby reached the gymnasium in -a somewhat weak and battered condition and made no objection when Gyp -removed him to the rubbing room and made him swallow something that -tasted like ammonia and then did excruciating things to his neck for -a good ten minutes. Even after that he didn’t feel awfully bright and -chipper, and that night he fell asleep with his head pillowed on his -French dictionary and slept beautifully until Arnold rudely awakened -him and sternly sentenced him to bed. - -The next afternoon, although he really felt as fit as ever, the -assistant trainer cast one stern and penetrating look at him and -ordered him off the field. “No work for you to-day, Tucker,” said Gyp. -“And don’t stick around here, either. Go and play tennis or something -easy. (Gyp was known to hold a supreme contempt for tennis!) Anyway, -stay outdoors.” - -“Can’t I watch practice?” asked Toby ingratiatingly. - -“You cannot! Beat it now, like I tell you!” - -So Toby “beat it” and went back to the gymnasium and donned “cits” and -wandered down to the tennis courts and saw Horace Ramsey run away with -a set from the formidable Colcord, one of the mainstays of the Tennis -Team. Ramsey’s playing astonished Toby, and he said as much to that -youth when, later, they walked back up the slope together. - -“I’ve improved my playing a lot the last two weeks,” said Ramsey. -“Some fellows don’t like cool weather for tennis, but I do. Maybe it’s -because I’m heavier and hot weather gets me. I think I’ve got the knack -of the back-hand stroke now. It worried me a lot at first. That’s the -first time I ever got Colcord six-three, though. He wasn’t at his best -to-day, I guess.” - -“Heart troubling you much nowadays?” asked Toby slyly. - -“Not a bit,” answered the other unsuspiciously. “I guess Mr. Bendix was -right about it. He said, you know, that he couldn’t find anything wrong -with it. Sometimes I think mother was too――too anxious and imagined a -lot. You know how mothers are, Tucker.” - -“Yes.” Toby nodded. “My mother used to be that way, too. She used to -tell my father that I wasn’t strong enough to split wood, but dad never -believed her. And somehow I split it and lived to tell the tale! How -are you and Tubb getting along, Ramsey?” - -“Getting along? Oh, fine. Why?” - -“We-ell, just at first I thought I noticed a certain――er――coolness -between you.” - -“Really?” Ramsey looked mildly surprised. “I don’t remember that. I -like George first rate. He used to be sort of touchy and――and gloomy, -but he isn’t now. Maybe he was homesick. He’s doing great things on the -football team, I hear.” - -“Yes.” Toby unconsciously felt of a lame hip. “Yes, he certainly is!” - -When Arnold came dragging himself in just before five he found his -roommate putting in some much-needed licks on his Latin. “Your friend -Tubbs――――” began Arnold presently. - -“Tubb, Arn, still Tubb,” corrected Toby patiently. “Minus the sibilant -consonant.” - -“Tubb, then. It’s a crazy name, anyway. What I was going to say -was that your friend Tubb played a very nice game of football this -afternoon.” - -“So glad to hear it.” - -“Yes.” Arnold chuckled. “And some one almost spoiled his fatal beauty. -They say it was Roy Frick.” - -“How? What did he do to him?” asked Toby anxiously. - -“How I don’t know. I didn’t observe it. What was done was enough, -though. Friend Tubb’s nose is all over his face. I suppose that in -time, after Andy has worked it back into shape and hitched it there -with plenty of plaster, it will resume its normal appearance, but at -the present writing it’s――well, it’s a sight and a strong argument -against the brutality of football!” - -“Do you mean that Frick got him during play?” - -“Well, it doesn’t look like play, but maybe it was!” - -“You know what I mean, you seven-ply idiot! Did they have a scrap, or -what?” - -“Oh, it was during the course of the gentlemanly encounter between -friends that we staged down there this afternoon. Honest, Toby, -it’s a wonder any one escaped without losing an ear or a jawbone or -something, the way those coaches drove us to-day! They were positively -blood-thirsty! That long-legged guy who’s coaching the guards and -tackles――――” - -“Did Tubb try to get back at him?” - -“At Frick? No, not that I know of. Maybe he has by now. Maybe, -though, it wasn’t Frick who plugged him. I only heard some one say so -afterwards; Casement I think.” - -“It was Frick, I’ll wager,” said Toby. “Hang him, I wish he’d behave -himself until the season’s over. Tubb’s crazy to fight him, and I’m -afraid he will, and if he does some one will get on to it and he will -get the dickens.” - -“That’s no joke,” agreed Arnold. “You’d better give him a tip to keep -quiet until after we’ve licked Broadwood. It wouldn’t do to lose as -good a chap as Tubb. I heard, by the way, that Frick and a couple of -other fellows had a mix-up with some of the mill toughs the other -night; Saturday I think it was; and that Frick, for once, got the short -end of it. Too bad they didn’t cure him!” - -“Guess I’ll run up and see him after supper,” said Toby thoughtfully. - -“Frick?” asked Arnold innocently. - -“If I did I’d give him a good lesson,” answered Toby grimly. “No, Tubb. -I made him sort of promise to be good, but if Frick’s gone and pasted -him again――――” Toby shook his head lugubriously. - -Arnold laughed. “Think his patience may wear thin after awhile, eh? -Well, I can’t say I’d blame him if it did. Still, he mustn’t be allowed -to get in wrong with faculty just yet. Go on up and read the riot-act -to him, old thing. By the bye, what happened to you this afternoon? -What kep ye?” - -“Gyp,” said Toby. “He wouldn’t let me on. Said I was to play tennis -instead!” - -“I thought that might be it. Well, I missed your smiling countenance -and cheerful voice. So did your team, I guess. They didn’t begin to -play the way they did yesterday. Did you play tennis?” - -“Not likely! To tell the gospel truth, Arn, I guess I wouldn’t have -been much good to-day. I felt all right until Gyp told me I didn’t, -though. That’s funny, isn’t it?” - -“Not at all, not at all. Power of suggestion, T. Tucker. Recognized -psychological phenomenon. When do we eat?” - -Toby was surprised as well as embarrassed on reaching training table -that evening by the interest displayed in his welfare by his teammates. -It seemed that every one, with the possible exception of Roy Frick, -was eager and anxious to have his absence from practice satisfactorily -explained. Toby was somehow glad that Coach Burtis had not yet reached -the table, for the coach had a kindly but amused smile that made Toby -feel silly, and Toby was feeling silly enough as it was. Just at first -he thought the fellows were having fun with him, but their relief at -discovering that it was merely a lay-off that had kept him away was too -genuine to be mistaken. - -“Well, Gyp has good sense,” commented Farquhar approvingly. “The First -certainly laid for you yesterday, Tucker, and I could see that you were -pretty well flattened out afterwards. Feeling all right now?” - -“Fine, thanks. Somebody pass the milk, please.” - -“Atta boy, Tucker!” said Nelson from across the board. “Don’t forget -Saturday. We’re going to need you, son!” - -Toby saw Lovett glance toward Frick and exchange an amused glance -with Grover Beech, and wished Nelson had more tact, and nearly choked -drinking the milk with which Mawson had filled his glass. Then Mr. -Burtis came and asked Toby if his lay-off had straightened him out, -and again he said he was feeling fine, thanks, and after that some one -mercifully turned the conversation. - -When supper was over he went in search of George Tubb. He had seen -Tubb leave the First Team table and took it for granted that he had -gone up to his room. But a knock on the portal of Number 31 elicited -no response and, on pushing the door open, the room proved to be dark -and empty. So he went down to Number 12, lighted up, got his books -together and started on some geometry problems that promised to give -him trouble. But the first one proved less awful than he anticipated -and so he went on to the second, and when he remembered George Tubb -again it was nearly nine. Arnold had not yet returned from a conference -at the gymnasium. Toby pushed his papers away, viewing the result of -his labors approvingly, and went back to the third floor. This time a -light showed from Number 31 and he found the room tenanted, but only by -Horace Ramsey. - -“Where’s Tubb?” asked Toby. - -“Haven’t seen him since before supper,” replied Horace, with a sigh -as he leaned back from his studying and stretched his arms overhead. -“I don’t think he’s been back here since he went down. I only came in -about half an hour ago, though. Want to see him? He may be over in -Dudley. He and a fellow named Dunphy are sort of thick. I don’t know -the number.” - -“I’ll wait a few minutes if I’m not keeping you from studying. Maybe he -will be in.” - -“Glad to have you,” replied Horace eagerly. “Try the big chair. It’s -all right if you don’t lean back too hard. Did you hear about the -wallop Tubb got this afternoon?” - -“Yes, Deering told me about it. Does he think Frick did it?” - -“He says he knows he did! You ought to have heard him go on about it!” -Horace chuckled. “Gee, he was mad!” - -“You don’t suppose he’s――he’s looking for Frick now, do you?” - -“By Jove! I wonder if he is! No, I don’t think so, though. He had sort -of cooled down by supper time. He looked like a South Sea pirate, -Tucker. They plastered his face all over and it hurt him to talk, I -guess. Not that that kept him quiet, though!” - -“Well, I wish I knew for sure――――” muttered Toby. “If he gets to -scrapping with Frick and faculty learns of it――――” - -“I don’t believe he will, honest. He said something about that, -something about wishing football was over so he could show Frick a good -time.” - -Toby remained a half-hour longer, during which conversation touched on -many subjects, and then, as he was leaving, Tubb appeared. He seemed in -unusually good spirits and greeted the visitor almost boisterously, and -wouldn’t hear of Toby’s departing yet. “I’ve been over to Dudley seeing -a fellow named Dunphy,” he explained. “Know him?” - -“A little,” said Toby. “What happened to your hand?” - -“Oh, that?” Tubb held up his left hand and looked at a bleeding -knuckle. “Why, I barked it against the corner of Dudley. It was sort -of dark and I tried to turn too soon. Struck it against the stone, I -guess. It’s just a scratch.” - -“You keep on,” observed Ramsey dryly, “and your folks won’t know you! -Isn’t he a picture, Tucker?” - -Toby assented unsmilingly. Tubb did look fairly disreputable, for white -surgeon’s tape crossed and recrossed his nose over a pad of gauze and -gave him a peculiarly villainous appearance. - -“Suppose you heard about this?” asked Tubb significantly, touching the -wounded member gingerly. Toby nodded. “That’s our friend Frick again. -It’s all right, though. Just one more little favor to return.” - -“Seen him since?” asked Toby carelessly. - -“Only at a respectable and safe distance,” replied Tubb, smiling. He -looked and sounded truthful, but Toby gave another look at the bleeding -knuckle and doubted. - -“Well,” he said after a moment, “I hope you’ll keep away from him, -Tubb. You know we sort of decided you would.” - -“Yes, I know. That’s all right. Friend Frick can wait. I’m in no -hurry. I was afraid that I might forget about him by the time there was -any comeback, but now, after this little memento, there’s no danger of -it!” - -Presently Toby left, wondering whether Tubb was telling the truth -or was ashamed to confess that he had taken revenge on his enemy. -Certainly, it was quite possible to skin one’s knuckle by hitting it -against the rough stone trimming of one of the buildings, but somehow -Toby didn’t quite believe that Tubb had acquired his injury that way! - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -A VISIT TO THE OFFICE - - -Toby’s suspicions were confirmed the next morning. On the way back from -chapel he fell in with Sid Creel. Sid’s eyes were twinkling merrily as -he joined arms with Toby and fell into step. “Did you hear about Roy -Frick?” he demanded in a hushed but joyous voice. - -Toby shook his head. He thought he knew what was coming, however. - -“Some one beat him up,” said Sid, “beat him up beautifully! I haven’t -seen him, but that’s what Orlie Simpson says. He’s in his room and -won’t come out, and Orlie says he’s a sight!” - -“When?” - -“Last night. That’s all I know. Maybe it’s unkind to chortle, Tucker, -but he _did_ need it, didn’t he?” - -“Maybe he did,” answered Toby gloomily. - -“Well, what’s your trouble?” Sid observed him in surprise. “You sound -as if you were sorry for him!” - -“Frick? No, I was only thinking that if there was any trouble about -it――whoever did it――――” - -“Oh, he’s not likely to tell, I guess,” Sid chuckled. “Probably he will -say he fell downstairs or something! Well, see you later. Thought you’d -be interested in hearing the sad news. So long!” - -After a two o’clock recitation Toby returned to Number 12 to leave his -books before going to the field and found a gray card awaiting him. -Toby had seen gray cards before and knew what they meant, but this time -his conscience was fairly untroubled and he wondered a good deal as he -read the printed form: - -“The Principal desires to see Tobias Tucker in the School Office before -6 p.m.” - -Even the clearest conscience will experience qualms on receipt of such -a document, and Toby sat down, card in hand, and asked himself what it -portended. It might be that bothersome Latin, although just of late it -hadn’t been going half badly and his instructor had even given him an -approving word but a day or two since. Of course it was conceivable -that a student might be summoned to the Office on some matter not -concerned with misdemeanors or derelictions. For instance, Toby told -himself, Doctor Collins might want to ask his advice regarding the -administration of Yardley Hall School! - -Well, anyhow, he reflected presently, he had until six to keep the -appointment, and meanwhile it was getting close to practice time, and -whatever the matter might be it could wait. So he kicked off his shoes -in favor of a pair of rubber-soled “sneakers” and donned his oldest -jacket and set forth. - -If troubles never come singly, as they say, the same may be said of -surprises. Toby’s second surprise that day came when the whistle had -put an end to a hard-fought battle with First Team in which he had -again kept the quarter-back position throughout. Possibly the fact -that Frick was not on hand may have had something to do with that, for -Rawson and Stair had been left well behind in the race for supremacy. -In any case, Toby put in forty minutes of actual playing and ran his -team well, although no score came to the Second to-day. Walking back -to the bench for his sweater, he heard his name called. Coaches Lyle -and Burtis were standing together nearby and it was Mr. Burtis who had -spoken. Toby joined them. - -“You know Mr. Lyle, Tucker?” asked the Second Team coach. Wonderingly -Toby shook hands. “Mr. Lyle thinks he needs you on the First,” -continued Mr. Burtis. “Sorry to lose you, Tucker, but we’re almost -through, and I guess you may be able to help out over there.” - -Toby looked bewildered. “You mean you want me――that I’m to go to the -First Team, sir?” - -“Yes, Tucker, that’s the idea,” answered the First Team coach. “As you -know, we’ve lost Curran for the season. We still have a couple of good -quarters in Noyes and Winfield, but I’ll feel safer with another to -fall back on. I can’t promise you much glory, Tucker, for you may not -be needed this season. Perhaps all you’ll get is a lot of hard work, my -boy, but you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you’re doing your -bit for the School. Anyhow, there’s next year to look forward to. And -I dare say that, if you take hold the way I expect you to, you’ll get -your letter in the Broadwood game. Well, you report to me to-morrow, -will you?” - -“Yes, sir, thanks!” - -“Good!” Mr. Lyle shook hands again as though to seal the bargain, and -then Mr. Burtis shook hands in a way that conveyed the idea that he -was very pleased for Toby’s sake, and Toby escaped. Most of the First -and Second Team fellows had gone on ahead and he had the path pretty -much to himself on the way to the gymnasium. And he was glad, because -he wanted to think. He was a First Team man! That was wonderful, but -it was also disquieting. Suppose that by some strange and unforeseen -combination of events he was called on to play against St. John’s, or -even Broadwood! Gee, that would be pretty fierce! He guessed he just -couldn’t do it! No, sir, he’d be ill or something. Playing on the -Second was one thing and running up against a big team like St. John’s -was quite another. He would make a horrible mess of things, probably, -and die of disgrace! Then the comforting thought came to him that -there wasn’t the least chance of his getting into action in either of -the remaining contests, that all he would be required to do would be -to substitute now and then in practice. It would be pretty hard work, -of course, but it would be worth while. Even to be numbered among the -First Team was a proud privilege and cheap at any cost of labor. And -there was also the alluring possibility that he would get in for a -minute or two at the last of the big game, long enough to win the right -to wear the big blue Y! - -He remembered Frick then and wondered if he would have been chosen -had Frick been out to-day. His modesty didn’t prevent his suspecting -that his work had pleased the coach better than Frick’s during the last -week or so, and he hoped that Frick’s absence from practice to-day was -not the reason for the choice falling where it had. But he couldn’t be -certain as to that, and in consequence he found no temptation to be -“swell-headed.” - -It wasn’t until he had dressed and was leaving the gymnasium with -Sid Creel and Frank Lamson and one or two more that he remembered -that summons to the Office. Remembering, his heart sank. Suppose -something――he couldn’t think what it might be――but suppose something -had gone wrong and he was to learn that this new and wonderful good -fortune was to be denied him! Of course, that was perfect rot, for -he hadn’t done anything! Just the same he’d feel better when that -conference with the Principal was over. - -The School Secretary waved him silently toward the inner office a few -minutes later and Toby confronted Doctor Collins. There was nothing -formidable about the Principal, but to-day Toby’s spine experienced the -sensation of becoming suddenly liquefied, for Doctor Collins fixed a -kind but stern look on him as he swung about in his chair. - -“Ah, Tucker! Be seated, please.” The Doctor removed his glasses, held -them between him and the light from the broad windows, seemed satisfied -with their clarity and replaced them astride his nose. “One of our -fellows was set on last night by two other boys, Tucker, and badly -hurt. Perhaps you know him?” - -“Roy Frick, sir? I know him a little. We’re――we were on the Second Team -together.” - -“And you had heard of his――ah――injuries?” - -“Yes, sir, Sid Creel told me this morning.” - -“I see. Well, I’ve sent for you, Tucker, because Frick tells a strange -story of the event. At least, I find it strange. Perhaps you can throw -some light on it. According to Frick, he was returning from the village -last evening at about nine o’clock, perhaps a little after nine, and -just inside the main gate at the foot of the Prospect two boys jumped -out from the trees and seized him. That is to say, one boy seized him -and the other――ah――administered punishment. It appears to have been -rather a brutal affair, brutal and cowardly. You agree with me?” - -“Yes, sir,” answered Toby troubledly. He had made up his mind by now -that no matter what happened he would not tell on Tubb. - -“Yes. Now here is the strange――ah――feature of the story. Frick tells -us that the boy who punched and otherwise maltreated him was you, -Tucker.” - -There was a moment of silence. Then: “_Me?_” gasped Toby. - -The Principal nodded. “Yes, he says so. He declares that he saw you -well enough to recognize you, although the spot is a fairly dark one. -However, there is the possibility that he was mistaken. Doubtless you -can account for your time at that hour, Tucker.” - -“Why, yes, sir! Of course I can! I wasn’t anywhere near the gate! I -wasn’t even outside Whitson! Besides, I’d have no reason to do it, -Doctor!” - -“No? I gathered from Frick that there was a sort of feud existing -between you. However, that isn’t of consequence now. I’m very glad -indeed that you are in a position to disprove his accusation. Where -were you at that time, Tucker, and with whom?” - -“Between nine and――――” - -“Well, between nine and half-past, let us say. Frick thinks the time -was perhaps nine-ten or nine-fifteen.” - -“I was in my room in Whitson, sir. I was doing some geometry.” - -“Well occupied,” answered the Principal with a smile. “And your -roommate was with you, I presume?” - -“Why, no, sir, he wasn’t,” stammered Toby. “Arnold was at a football -conference.” - -“Oh!” Doctor Collins sounded disappointed. “Then between nine and, say, -a quarter-past nine you were quite alone? Did any one come into your -room about that time?” - -“No, sir.” Toby’s heart sank. “I think it was a little after eight when -I came down from the third floor, and I studied until――I’m not just -certain, but I think it was about a quarter-past, sir.” - -“Where were you on the third floor?” - -“I went up to see George Tubb. He rooms in 31.” - -“But that was, you say, shortly after eight. At what time did your -roommate return?” - -Toby hesitated. Arnold had been in the room when he got back from that -second visit to Number 31, but how long he had been there Toby hadn’t -asked. Finally: “He was there a little before ten, sir.” - -“Well, between the time you finished studying and his return where were -you, Tucker?” - -Toby was prepared for that question. If he owned to having gone back to -Tubb’s room the Principal would probably suggest that Tubb be called -on to verify the statement, in which case it was more than likely -that Tubb’s absence from his room at the time when Frick was set upon -would become known. Perhaps, since Tubb was evidently not thought of -in connection with the affair, that was not dangerous, but to Toby it -seemed to offer a clew that any one would seize on. Toby’s reply came -without hesitation. - -“I never left Whitson all the evening, sir, not for a moment,” he -said earnestly. “I was in the building from the time I came back from -practice until I went to chapel this morning.” - -“I see. Well, I wish you had some one who could vouch for that, Tucker. -I think you are truthful, my boy, and that Frick made a mistake, but -I have no right to accept your word above his. We’ll let the matter -rest overnight. Perhaps you will think of some one who can testify -as to your whereabouts between nine and nine-thirty. Can you come -to me again at――――” the Doctor referred to a memorandum pad on the -desk――“eleven-thirty to-morrow?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Very well, do so. I’ve no doubt we can find a solution of the mystery -between us. Good afternoon, Tucker.” - -Toby returned to Number 12 uneasy but not seriously troubled. It was -nonsense to suppose that Frick would persist in his silly story in the -face of his, Toby’s, denial, or that, even if he did, the Doctor would -hold the accused guilty on such slim evidence. Just the same, he felt -none too kindly toward George Tubb. Suppose the Principal did believe -Frick finally and――Toby frowned. “Gee, I’d get bounced maybe!” he -muttered. “Anyhow, they wouldn’t let me play. Oh, well, Tubb will just -have to ’fess up in that case and take his medicine!” - -The thought that Tubb might refuse to do anything of the sort occurred -to him, but Toby put it resolutely aside. Tubb wasn’t that sort, he -assured himself. Whatever faults Tubb might have, at least he was -square. - -Toby said nothing to Arnold or any one else that evening of what was -on his mind most of the time. He considered going up and telling Tubb -how matters stood, but he couldn’t see that anything was to be gained -by that and so he didn’t. At half-past eleven the next forenoon he went -back to the Office. Roy Frick, still bearing unmistakable signs of his -beating, was there before him. Doctor Collins got to business at once. - -“Tucker, Frick says that he recognized you perfectly the night before -last. That is so, Frick?” - -Frick nodded, glancing at Toby from discolored and still swollen eyes. -“Yes, sir. I saw him plainly twice. I couldn’t see the other fellow -very well, because he got me from behind. I just know that he was tall -and kind of slim. But I saw him all right.” Frick nodded toward Toby. - -“What do you say, Tucker?” - -“Why, I can’t say anything, sir,” answered Toby helplessly, “except -that he’s wrong. I wasn’t outside Whitson once that evening.” - -The Doctor looked thoughtfully from one to the other. At last: “You -say, Frick, that there has been some sort of quarrel between you and -Tucker?” - -“Yes, sir, sort of. He――he knocked me down one day when I hadn’t done -anything――――” - -“Nothing but bounce a football off my be――off my head! And I didn’t -knock you down, and you know it. You tried to hit me and I gave you the -shoulder and you upset. Besides, I didn’t think any more about that.” - -“Is there any one else who holds a grudge against you, Frick?” asked -the Principal. - -“No, sir, not that I know of.” Then, catching Toby’s look and mistaking -its warning for an accusation, he qualified the statement. “Maybe Tubb -has it in for me a bit, but I know it wasn’t he.” - -“Tubb?” asked the Doctor. “Who is Tubb?” - -“George Tubb, sir. He’s on the First Team. We had――he thought I did -something to him intentionally when we were playing one day.” - -“And you didn’t?” - -“Not intentionally, sir.” - -“And you’re certain the fellow who pummeled you was not Tubb?” - -“Yes, sir. Tubb is thin, and this fellow was thickish and had red――had -hair like Tucker’s.” - -“I see. Have you found any one, Tucker, who can confirm what you -told me yesterday as to your presence in your room between nine and -half-past?” - -“No, sir, there isn’t any one.” Frick allowed himself the luxury of a -grin while the Principal was not looking, but it didn’t last long. It -still hurt him to move his mouth. - -“Well, I don’t know,” said the Principal finally in tones almost as -helpless as Toby’s. “It sounds to me as if there might be what you -fellows would call a ‘catch’ in this business, but on the evidence I -don’t see but what I’ll have to hold you responsible, Tucker. If you -know anything bearing on the matter that you haven’t told me I think it -would be well to mention it, because, to be frank with you, I consider -this attack on Frick a particularly brutal and underhand affair -meriting severe punishment.” - -Toby blinked but was silent. After a moment the Principal turned toward -Frick again. “From what you have told me I think it would be well for -you to be a little more careful in the future of your behavior toward -your fellows. I’m afraid you have a faculty for making trouble, my boy. -Should anything more of this sort reach my ears I shall be strongly -inclined to hold you partly to blame. That’s all for now. Good morning.” - -Frick withdrew and the Doctor removed his glasses and polished them -deliberately and thoughtfully. At last, replacing them, he asked -gently: “Do you know who attacked Frick, Tucker?” - -Toby hesitated. After all, he didn’t know, for Frick’s description -surely exonerated Tubb. So he shook his head and answered, “No, sir.” - -“But you suspect some one?” the Principal insisted. - -“I――I’d rather not answer, sir.” - -“Even if I tell you that a severe punishment awaits the――ah――convicted -person?” - -Toby shook his head again. Doctor Collins sighed. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -TUBB ON THE TRAIL - - -It didn’t take long for the news to get around the school. By evening -it was known everywhere that Toby Tucker was on probation for waylaying -Roy Frick and beating him up. A good many fellows took the stand that -Toby deserved a gold medal instead of probation, even while deploring -the fact that he had employed questionable means to wreak vengeance. -Having some one hold Frick while he punched him was not quite -sportsmanlike. Of course Toby was lost to football for the rest of the -season, although, as he was, at most, but a third-choice quarter, the -loss was not considered serious. If Coach Lyle thought otherwise no one -knew it. - -Arnold was rabid when he heard the news from Toby and was all for -a swift descent on the Office and an indignant protest backed by -affidavits of good character. Toby, however, persuaded him to -relinquish the project. - -“Well, then why don’t you go and finish the job on Frick?” demanded -Arnold. “At least you can have the satisfaction of punching his fool -head!” - -“It doesn’t seem to me,” answered Toby dryly, “that that would be -conclusive evidence of my innocence.” - -“Who said it would be? It would make things a lot easier, though, -wouldn’t it? It would for me, I’ll bet! Give me leave and I’ll do it -for you!” - -“Much obliged, but I wouldn’t get much satisfaction out of it, I guess. -No, the only thing is to――――” - -“What?” asked Arnold as Toby’s voice died into silence. - -Toby shook his head. “Nothing. Stand it, I suppose. After all, it -doesn’t much matter. And I don’t believe Collins will keep me on very -long. I guess he sort of half thinks I’m shielding some one else.” - -“You’re not, are you?” demanded Arnold suspiciously. - -Toby laughed. “Well, where were you at nine o’clock that night, Arn?” - -“Don’t be a gillie! I suppose you know that Frick will get your place -on the First? Mr. Lyle will have to take some one over, and he’s the -best there is left, isn’t he?” - -“Yes. I――I hadn’t thought of that.” - -“Well, think of it,” growled Arnold. “Not that it’ll do you much good!” - -Toby did think of it. It seemed to make things much clearer to his -mind. Whether Frick had recognized his assailant or not, he was -accusing him because he wanted his place on the First. It was quite -simple. Frick probably thought that Toby had no suspicion of Tubb and -that Tubb would certainly not spoil the plot by confessing. This if -Frick had recognized Tubb. Toby was inclined to think that he had. - -Anyway, Frick’s scheme was a success. Toby had not seen George Tubb -and he didn’t mean to. Tubb ought to take the blame, of course, but -Toby meant to leave the matter in his own hands. He couldn’t altogether -blame Tubb for taking vengeance on Frick, in view of the latter’s -offenses, and while Toby had no desire to be a martyr he had grown to -like Tubb and didn’t want him to lose his well-earned position on the -School Team. So far as it was a question of the good of the School, it -was far better for him to be punished than for Tubb to be. His loss to -the team meant very little, while Tubb’s absence in the Broadwood game -would be keenly felt. So, secretly, bitterly resentful toward Frick but -harboring no grudge toward any one else, Toby took his medicine. - -Being on probation cut him off from many privileges, amongst them that -of seeing Yardley beat St. John’s on Saturday. Half the school made the -journey and returned home triumphing. The score was 12 to 0 and the -game was hard-fought and bristling with brilliant plays by both teams. -Tom Fanning, Larry Snowden and Ted Halliday came back crowned with the -laurel wreathes of heroes, although there were few on the Blue team who -didn’t deserve high praise. Coach Lyle’s charges had worked together -and individually in a manner to make the School proud of them, and that -Saturday evening saw a big and enthusiastic celebration in the Assembly -Hall and, later, outside. Toby didn’t attend it, since he was forbidden -to leave his room after supper without permission from the Office, but -he watched the triumphal end of it from his window and, although none -heard but he, added his voice to the cheering. He felt rather lonely -and rather downhearted that night, and even Arnold’s return a little -later failed to cheer him much. Arnold was sympathetic, but to-night he -was in an elated mood and very full of the afternoon’s game and the -evening’s jollification, and Toby’s mood didn’t respond. - -On Sunday afternoon Toby ran into George Tubb on the stairs. They had -not met save in passing since the night of Frick’s escapade, and now of -the two, Toby was the more embarrassed. He would have passed on up to -his room, but Tubb wouldn’t have it. “Hold on,” said Tubb. “What’s your -hurry? Let’s go for a tramp.” - -“Can’t, thanks, I’m in bounds just at present.” Toby smiled to show -that he didn’t mind, but Tubb scowled. - -“Look here,” he said, “I want to talk to you about that, Tucker. Come -on outside somewhere. You can walk down to the field, can’t you?” - -Toby could, and, after a second’s hesitation, decided that he would. -Once away from the buildings Tubb broke forth indignantly. - -“Say, what sort of a game do you call that?” he exclaimed. “You make me -promise to lay off Frick, and then you go and pound him up yourself! -What’s the big idea, Tucker? I don’t get it!” - -Toby stared. “And I don’t get you, Tubb,” he said finally. “You know -mighty well I didn’t touch Frick!” - -“You didn’t? Then who――then why――Look here, aren’t you on pro for it?” - -Toby nodded. “But I didn’t do it. I don’t _know_ who did it. Do you?” -Toby spoke carelessly, but Tubb’s eyes narrowed. - -“Do I? Why should I? You don’t think――――” Tubb stopped and swung Toby -around by the arm. “You don’t think I did it, do you?” - -“Why, I haven’t said――――” - -“That means you do! Why the dickens haven’t you said so? What are you -up to?” - -“Do you mean that you didn’t, Tubb?” asked Toby incredulously. - -“Of course I didn’t,” was the impatient answer. “I said I wouldn’t, -didn’t I?” - -“You said you’d think about it.” - -“Well, it’s the same thing, you chump! Let’s get this settled, Tucker. -What do you know about it, anyway?” - -“I thought I knew all about it,” replied Toby in puzzlement, “but I -guess I don’t know anything. If it wasn’t you, and it wasn’t me, and -Frick says it was me, and――――” - -“Hold up! Better begin at the beginning. I’ve heard a lot of crazy -stories about it. You tell me it the way it was.” - -So Toby did. And when he had finished Tubb shook his head bewilderedly. -“I don’t blame you for suspecting me,” he said. “But I was over in -Dudley and I can prove it by two or three fellows. And that knuckle -really did get skinned just as I told you. But that doesn’t explain -the business, does it? Some one else had it in for Frick and laid for -him. Either Frick knows who did it or he doesn’t know. If he does know -he lied to Doctor Collins, if he doesn’t know――well, he still lied -perhaps, but he might have thought it was you, Tucker. Is there any -other chap in school that looks like you?” - -Toby shrugged. “There may be. I don’t know. I don’t suppose I know just -what I look like, for that matter. I guess there are other fellows -with――with hair like mine, though. That won’t get us anywhere.” - -“No, I guess not. Look here, why not go to Frick and put it up to him? -Both of us, I mean. I don’t believe he’d dare lie if we were both -there.” - -“Why not? He lied, if he did lie, when Doctor Collins and I were there. -Oh, there’s no use bothering, I guess. Let’s drop it. I’m sort of glad, -though, that it wasn’t you, Tubb.” - -“Well, yes, but if you thought it was me why didn’t you tell the -Doctor so? Why did you let him sock it to you the way he did?” - -“Oh, what was the use? You’d have got probation and lost the team, and -you’re too good a player to lose.” - -“So that’s it?” Tubb looked away. Presently he said gruffly: “Well, it -was mighty decent of you, Tucker. Guess I wouldn’t have done it in your -place. Much obliged, even if――if it wasn’t any good.” - -“It wasn’t anything,” said Toby calmly. “I just didn’t see any use in -letting Broadwood beat us for want of a good left end, that’s all. -You’d have done the same, though you think you mightn’t have.” - -“Guess the team would have got by all right without me,” said Tubb. -“There’s Meadows, you know. He’s pretty good, if I did beat him out for -it. But, say, we’ve got to get to the bottom of this business, Tucker. -It won’t do to let Frick get away with it so easy. Have they taken him -over to the First in your place?” - -“I don’t think they have yet. They will, of course.” - -“I suppose so, unless we can put a spoke in his wheel. I’m going to -think this thing out, Tucker.” - -“Help yourself. But keep away from Frick.” - -“We-ell, all right. Bet you I could make him tell the truth, though,” -muttered Tubb. “The toad! You wait till we’re through with football, -Tucker! I’ll make that guy wish he’d never been born!” - -“I may have something to say to him myself pretty soon,” said Toby -thoughtfully. “Now that I know I’m not getting you in trouble――――” - -“Listen! You leave him to me,” said Tubb earnestly. “I don’t want him -all messed up when I’m ready for him. I want him whole, Tucker. You -give me first show at him and I’ll settle affairs for both of us. Is it -a bargain?” - -“Yes, if you like. I want him to get what’s coming to him, but I’m not -particular who gives it to him! Well, I must be getting back. I’ve some -work to do. This thing of being on pro has one advantage, Tubb; it -gives you a fine chance to improve your class standing!” - -Monday came, and Tuesday, and although Tubb assured Toby that he was -still hopeful of clearing up the mystery, nothing came of it. Frick -went to the First Team on Tuesday. Mass meetings were held on the -slightest provocation and the school talked football from morning to -night. The last scrimmage between the Second Team and the First was -held on Wednesday and Toby went down and looked on. The Second, not -yet recovered from a gruelling game with Latimer High School four days -before which had ended in a 7 to 7 tie, and deprived of the services -of a first-class quarter-back, was no match for the big team and was -cruelly humbled. That was the Second’s swan-song, for when the whistle -blew for the end she cheered the First and then cheered for herself and -then, cavorting and yelling, piled up the hill to the gymnasium while, -from the stands, followed a long cheer with three rousing “Seconds!” -on the end of it. After Wednesday, save for “skull practice” in the -gymnasium in the evenings and a thorough signal drill on Thursday, -there was nothing to be done but wait for Saturday and the enemy’s -invasion. - -Toby had become fairly reconciled to his state by Thursday, and was -inclined to make fun of George Tubb’s efforts to fasten the guilt of -the assault on the right person. But Tubb refused to give up, although -he was clearly discouraged. Or he was until Friday. Then, just after -supper, he pounced in on Toby in Number 12 and asked a breathless -question. - -“Didn’t you tell me once that the guy who punched you the day you -fellows played Greenburg High had red hair?” he asked. - -“Did I? I may have. Anyway, he did.” - -“How big was he?” - -“Oh, I don’t know. Why?” - -“Never mind why! Answer the question! Was he bigger than you?” - -“N-no, about the same height, I guess, and maybe about my build. You’re -not trying to make it out that――――” - -“Never mind what I’m trying to do! That’s all! Much obliged to you!” -And Tubb rushed out again. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -FRICK IS CALLED AWAY - - -That momentous Saturday dawned crisp and bright. Yardley Hall School -was early afoot and there was, from the first awakening, a flood -of contagious excitement, repressed during chapel but let loose -immediately afterwards. Breakfast, for the average boy was hilarious, -for the two dozen or so fellows who would or might meet Broadwood in -the afternoon it was a trying ordeal at which the usual viands had lost -their flavor and where swallowing was often a painful task. Fortunately -for both faculty and students, experience had taught the futility of -holding the usual Saturday recitations on the morning of the Broadwood -contest, and all but a very few were abandoned. - -Toby awoke in excellent spirits that day. After all, a fellow can’t -have everything he wants, and here was a corking morning, the big game -at hand and Yardley trained to the moment; and Toby concluded that he -had no grouch coming to him! Besides, if playing on the School Team -meant being in such a state of mind as Arnold was in, why, one was -much better off it! For Arnold had a horrible case of stage-fright. -He fidgeted and gloomed and was alternately a pest and a subject for -the deepest sympathy. Toby had but one recitation, at eleven, and so, -after breakfast, he set himself the task of keeping Arnold from jumping -into the river or biting holes in the pavement. A walk seemed the best -medicine, and the two strolled down to the tennis courts and watched -there awhile and then across the field――Toby tossing his cap over the -cross-bar of the south goal for good-luck――and went upstream along the -river bank. Of course Arnold talked nothing but football, and Toby let -him chatter to his heart’s content. Talking appeared to make Arnold -less glum. Finally they struck inland by the golf links and dodged -balls for a half-mile on the way back, reaching Whitson again at about -ten, unaware that a visitor had called and, finding Toby absent, had -gone his way again without leaving his card. - -Arnold wandered off after a few minutes and Toby tried to prime himself -a little for the coming recitation. Then, just before eleven, he -clattered downstairs and over to Oxford, pausing once or twice to -hold jerky conversation with excited friends. Followed a harrowing -half-hour, harrowing for Mr. McIntyre, otherwise known as “Kilts,” the -mathematics instructor, and for a roomful of restless and, for the -nonce, surprisingly stupid boys. There was an audible sigh of relief -at dismissal, a sigh that swelled to a shout as the fellows gained -the doorway and piled out onto the sunlit steps of the old granite -building. Toby lingered to talk to Steve Lippman a minute, and there -Billy Tarrant, the assistant manager of the School Team, found him -after a long search. Tarrant pushed his way through the crowd and -grabbed Toby’s arm. - -“You’re wanted in commons, Tucker,” he announced. “Get a move on!” - -Toby hung back. “What for?” he asked. “Who wants me?” - -“Mr. Lyle. I don’t know what for. Something about the team. Come on! -I’ve been hunting you for half an hour.” - -“Oh! Well, all right.” Toby followed obediently, wondering nevertheless. -Half-way, a simple explanation presented itself. Perhaps the Yardley -fellow who was to have handled the chain in the game couldn’t serve, and -they were going to let him do it. Toby concluded that this was his lucky -day after all. The dining-room doors were closed, but Tarrant thrust -open the nearer one and pushed Toby inside. The First Team crowd were -seated around the training table. Mr. Lyle was talking and Tarrant and -Toby trod on their tiptoes down the length of the room. Andy Ryan arose -and noiselessly set chairs for the new arrivals, and Toby seated himself -gingerly, aware that many of the gathering had glanced at him curiously -and that Arnold’s countenance was one big exclamation point! Then, -between the heads of those near him, he caught a glimpse of George -Tubb’s face, and George was looking at him and making silent words with -his lips that Toby couldn’t read. He shook his head helplessly and tried -to listen to the coach. Mr. Lyle was going over his instructions for the -battle in a very quiet tone. Now and then he asked a question and some -one answered, once or twice wrongly. But Toby, consumed by curiosity, -heard little of the discourse. Even when the manager wheeled a -blackboard over and the coach made circles and straight lines and wavy -lines with a piece of chalk, and every one else watched with almost -painful attention and in perfectly soggy silence, Toby just kept right -on wondering why he was there. For an outsider to be present during -these mystic rites was absolutely unheard of! For a wild, breathless -moment the idea came to him that Doctor Collins had relented and that he -had been reinstated on the team. But that was too improbable, too absurd -for credence! Besides, there was Roy Frick over there, looking -supercilious and self-important. - -Then the coach stopped talking, the blackboard was moved back to the -wall and there was a great scraping of chairs. And almost at the same -moment the waiters came in with loaded trays and a cold lunch was set -on the table, big platters of sandwiches and dishes of plain cake and -pitchers of steaming hot cocoa and of milk and bowls of oranges, and -every one began helping himself and eating where he sat or stood. Every -one, that is, but Toby. Toby sat where he had been put and looked on in -puzzlement. Or he did until the coach remembered him and, a sandwich in -one hand and a cup of cocoa in the other, came to him. - -“No appetite, Tucker?” he asked cheerfully. “That won’t do. Better try -some of this hot cocoa and worry a couple of sandwiches down. I guess -I know how you feel, my boy, but there’s no call to be nervous.” - -“No, sir,” gulped Toby. “I――I’m not nervous, Mr. Lyle. I――――” - -“That’s right! Wade in and get some food then. Glad you got back to us, -Tucker.” The coach turned away again, his eye on the sandwich platter, -and Toby followed him. - -“Mr. Lyle!” The coach stopped. “Mr. Lyle, will you please tell me what -you――what the――what I’m doing here?” - -“Eh? What you’re doing here? Why, you’re supposed to get your luncheon, -Tucker. What do you mean?” - -“But――but I’m not on the team, sir, and I don’t understand. Tarrant -said you wanted me over here and――――” - -“Didn’t he tell you why? Didn’t Tubb tell you? Hasn’t _any one_ told -you?” - -Toby shook his head mutely, almost apologetically. - -“Well!” The coach took Toby’s arm and walked him over toward a window. -“I’m sorry. Tucker,” he said, “I thought of course you knew. Not that -I know much myself, though. All I do know is that Tubb came bounding -to me an hour or more ago and told me you were square at the Office -and wanted me to put you back. He said there had been a mistake and -that you hadn’t done what you were supposed to have done. I told him -I didn’t think you’d be an awful lot of use, after being out for more -than a week, but that I was quite willing to have you back on the -squad anyway. So I called up the Office and found it was all right -and sent Tarrant to look for you. That’s all I know, Tucker. If I can -work you in for a minute I’ll do it, but I make no promises. It’s sort -of hard lines on you, though, and I’ll do my best. Have you forgotten -everything you knew?” - -“No, sir!” gasped Toby. “Only――only I guess you’d better not try to use -me, Mr. Lyle, because I don’t know the signals very well.” - -“Do you know them at all?” - -“Yes, sir, a little. I room with Deering, and he’s coached me some so I -could sort of coach him.” - -“Get Curran to go through them with you. I’ll speak to him. If you’ll -get them pat between now and the last half, Tucker, I’ll see that you -get your letter. Now get some food into you.” - -Toby seized on as many sandwiches as one hand would hold and poured out -a glass of milk. Then he made his way around the table to Tubb. “What -happened?” he whispered. - -Tubb grinned. “Thought you’d be over here to ask pretty soon! I’ll -tell you all about it, Tucker. Wait till I get another hunk of cake. -Cake’s pretty good stuff when you’ve been off it a month or so! Guess -this sort won’t hurt you if you eat a loaf of it! Now, then. Remember -telling me that Frick――――” Tubb lowered his voice and glanced about -him, edging further from the throng. “Remember telling me that Frick -had a row with some of the town boys one night a long while ago?” - -Toby nodded. “Arnold told me about it,” he said. - -“Well. Then do you remember telling me about a red-headed chap who -punched you in the face the day the Second played Greenburg?” - -Toby began to see light. “You mean he was the one who――――” - -“Sure! All I did was put two and two together. Then, last night, I -risked being caught out of bounds and hunted the guy up. It wasn’t -hard. The first loafer in Greenburg I asked recognized the description -and sent me to a pool parlor. He was there all right and I got him to -come outside and talk. He was willing to talk, too. Seems that he -and two or three others got into a scrap with about the same number -of our fellows one evening just across the bridge and he and Frick -sort of took to each other and were having a merry scrap until Frick -pulled something hard from a pocket and cut this chap’s scalp open. -Sheehan――that’s the guy’s name――says he thinks Frick used a bunch of -keys or something like that. He doesn’t think it was a knife, anyway. -Our fellows got away――or the others did, and that ended it. Sheehan -says it was a nice little scrap, only Frick shouldn’t have sprung the -‘rough stuff’! So he got sore and decided he’d lay for Frick and get -even. Says he tried three or four times, but each time he saw Frick -there were fellows with him. But the other night he found him and got -him!” - -“He oughtn’t to have done it the way he did, though. I mean it was sort -of rotten to have some one else hold Frick while――――” - -“Huh! That’s the joker, Tucker!” - -“What do you mean?” - -“There wasn’t any other fellow! Sheehan got as sore as a pup when I -said something about that. Says he was alone and that every time he -knocked Frick down he had to lift him up again! Says Frick was game, -all right, but had to beg off finally. Then Sheehan found his cap for -him and went with him almost to the top of the Prospect because he was -pretty wobbly on his pins.” - -“What do you know!” exclaimed Toby. “But why――――” - -“Because he didn’t want any one to know that he’d been licked in a fair -fight. And, another thing, Tucker: I asked Sheehan if Frick knew who he -was fighting with, and Sheehan said, sure he did, that he took pains to -tell him! So, you see, friend Frick lied all the way through. When he -got to thinking things out he saw that if he could put the blame on you -he’d get you off the team and probably get your place.” - -“I guess so,” agreed Toby. “I’m most awfully much obliged to you, Tubb. -You’re a perfect brick to take so much trouble and――――” - -“Ginger! I enjoyed it. I tried to find you this morning the first -chance I got, but you were off somewhere. So I went right over to the -Office and waited around and saw the Doctor and told him the whole -yarn. I offered to get Sheehan up here if the Doctor would agree not to -make trouble for him. Sheehan was sort of afraid he might be arrested -or something, I guess. But the Doctor said he’d take my word for it. -After that I looked for you again, but you had a class, I guess, and -then it was time to come over here. And that’s the whole business. How -do I stand as a Sherlock W. Holmes?” - -“A1,” laughed Toby. “But, listen, what about Frick? What did the Doctor -say about him?” Toby looked around in search of that youth but couldn’t -see him. - -“No use looking for him,” chuckled Tubb. “He went out five minutes -ago. Some one came to the door and called him. Don’t believe we’ll see -him again for awhile! He will be lucky if they let him stick around. I -wouldn’t be surprised if he got fired, though. It might be just as well -for him if he did,” Tubb added grimly, “because if he’s around here -the day after to-morrow he’s going to be awfully sorry for some of the -things he’s done!” - -“All over to the gym!” called Andy Ryan. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -FOURTH DOWN - - -For thirty minutes of actual playing time the Blue of Yardley and the -Green of Broadwood had advanced and retreated up and down the trampled -field of battle. And now the fifteen minute intermission was nearing -its end and the rival cheering sections ceased their songs and the -cheer leaders, megaphones in hand, watched the slope for sight of -the returning warriors. Then the cheers broke forth and the squads -trotted down the hill, Yardley in the lead, and blue flags waved and -green pennants fluttered and pandemonium reigned. On the scoreboard -no chalked figures followed the names of the contenders, for neither -side had scored. Never perhaps in the history of the schools had their -teams waged a closer conflict. Not once had the ball been inside either -twenty-five-yard line in scrimmage, not once had the Blue or the Green -seriously threatened the opposing goal. It had been a hard-fought, -gruelling battle in mid-field, the ball constantly changing hands. -No errors of judgment had given advantage, no fumbles had marred the -almost perfect play. Twice penalties had been exacted, once from each -team. Machine-like smoothness, thorough teamwork had been the order -all through the first two periods, and individual brilliancy had been -subordinated. Both teams seemed loath to break away from the safety of -old-style football, and line-plunges interspersed with dashes outside -tackle had ruled. Once Broadwood had tried a forward-pass, but it had -failed and she had not attempted a second. It was still anybody’s game. - -Neither side made any changes as the third period started. For Yardley -the line-up was still as before: Tubb, Fanning, Rose, Simpson, -Casement, Bryan, Halliday, Noyes, Roover, Deering, Snowden. It was -Broadwood’s kick-off and Yardley hustled the ball back to her twenty -and went at the line again. The Green stopped her for seven yards and -Snowden punted to the rival’s twenty-odd. Broadwood tried the left end -and made four, tried the center and lost two, sent her backs at right -tackle and gained three, and punted to Yardley’s forty. Deering caught -and skirted back ten before he was upset. Roover got two past right -tackle and three inside right guard. Deering fought through for two -more. Snowden punted. And so it went while the precious minutes sped. - -On the bench, huddled in sweater and blanket, Toby watched anxiously -with the others. And as he watched he strove to keep in mind the lesson -that Curran had been teaching him since an hour before the game. The -new signals were simple, but there were three sequences that wouldn’t -stay put in his mind. Of course, it probably didn’t matter much whether -he remembered them or didn’t, for it was safe to say that the coach -would not let him in until the game was either well won or lost beyond -the possibility of recovery. But it was like Toby to keep hammering -away just the same. - -Noyes misjudged a punt, his first error, and for a long and anxious -four minutes Broadwood hovered about the Blue’s thirty-yards, the -ball in her possession. Then the second forward-pass of the game was -intercepted by Tubb, and, although he could not get away, he clung -tightly to it when tackled and a moment later Snowden had again punted -far down the field. Ten minutes had passed of the precious thirty -left. Broadwood, fighting back, piled through Yardley’s center for six -yards and the green pennants waved and Broadwood voices shouted their -triumph. Noyes, limping and white-faced, came off and Winfield took his -place at quarter and the Green made her distance for the third time -that day. But she was still on her own ground. A full-back run ended -disastrously and she punted to Winfield on his own thirty-seven and -that slim youth dodged and weaved his way through half the opposing -team and was only downed when twenty yards lay behind him. Yardley -implored a touchdown in measured chorus. With three to go on fourth -down, Yardley hesitated. Before she had decided the whistle signaled -the end of the quarter. - -On the stands the supporters of the Blue spoke sadly or hopefully of -a no-score game. The teams sought the water buckets and lined up once -more. But now there were new faces in the opposing ranks. Both sides -had begun to call on their reserves. Snow went in for Casement and -Candee for Simpson on the Blue team and Broadwood put in a new end and -a new half-back. - -Winfield called for the three yards on a double-pass play that sent -Deering outside left tackle and just failed of the distance. Broadwood -opened up her play then. Two forward-passes were tried, of which the -first failed and the second won a short ten yards. A fake-kick, with -the quarter holding the pigskin, added seven more. Yardley rooters -watched in silent agony now. The Green piled through for the rest of -the distance and the Broadwood stands went crazy with joy. But there -was still a long way to go and Yardley found herself again after -another play or two and held for downs when six inches would have given -Broadwood a new life. Then came a wild and thrilling end run by Deering -that took the ball over four white lines and placed it on Broadwood’s -thirty-six. But a fumble by the Blue’s quarter spoiled it and Broadwood -recovered the ball. Three attempts netted little and the ball sailed -back up the field. Winfield again misjudged and the pigskin went over -his head and trickled closer and closer to the Blue’s goal-line, -Deering and Winfield in pursuit and two eager Broadwood ends almost -upon them. It was Arnold who fell on the ball safely just short of his -fifteen-yard-line and who clung to it stoutly while the enemy pounced -down on him. - -“Six minutes left,” growled Curran, at Toby’s side. “Why don’t we open -up? Winfield acts as if we hadn’t a play in the bag but line-plunges!” - -Noyes, nearby, almost too wearied to hold up his head, grunted. - -“They know everything we’ve got, Curran,” he said. “Watch them when -we give the signals. They’re wise to every move! And those backs are -wonders! We can’t get away from ’em.” - -“Well, we might try!” retorted Curran savagely. “No use lying down, is -there? There we go, back at the old hammer again! What’s Tom up to? -Oh, Winfield’s coming off. You in again? But you can’t. Who’s Mr. Lyle -after? It’s you, Tucker! Boy, it’s you! Remember those signals and -shake it up, Tucker, shake it up!” - -“Tucker! Come on, come on!” Mr. Lyle was calling and beckoning. Toby, -with heart pounding and his throat hot, ran to him on the side-line. -“Here’s your chance. Know the signals? Good! Get in there and put some -punch into that team. Tell Fanning I say he’s got to open up. Tell him -the time’s come to score! Give ’em some running plays, boy. Put ginger -into that bunch. Here, Snow! Go in for Casement. All right, Tucker! -Beat it!” - -Cheers and more cheers, cheers for Winfield and for Casement, cheers -for the substitutes speeding on, cheers from across the field, a medley -of mad sound that beat on Toby’s ears like a cataract. Then he was in -the squad, Fanning twitching him aside, Arnold thumping him on the -back, Snowden, white and gasping, patting his shoulder imploringly. -“Let me get at ’em, Tucker, will you? Let me try ’em, will you? Let -me――――” - -“Shut up, Larry! What’s the word?” Tom Fanning pulled Toby away. Toby -gave the message. - -“All right! Open her up! We’ve tried their line until we’re sick of it! -There’s six minutes yet, nearly. Come on, Yardley! Let’s get it, let’s -get it! We can do it! What do you say?” - -“_Signals!_” shrilled Toby, his voice pitching itself up amongst the -clouds as it seemed to him. “_Signals!_” - -It was Yardley’s ball on third down near her twenty, with five to go. -Snowden got four of that five and then two more, making it first down -on the twenty-five. Then began a march up the field that is still -spoken of with bated breath at Yardley. It was a march against time. -To the middle of the field went the Blue without a halt. Substitutes -went into the opposing line and back-field, but still Yardley advanced. -Snowden was the hero of that advance, Snowden first and then Deering, -for it was Arnold who got away from Broadwood’s forty-four and plunged -onward to her twenty-six. And after that it was Snowden again and then -Lamson and again Snowden, and the teams were on the twelve yards. -Broadwood was fighting for time, delaying all she dared. The two -minutes had been announced when Toby gave the ball to Snowden for a -final slide off tackle on the left that, if it went right, would place -the ball well in front of the goal. And it did go right, although it -took the last ounce of Snowden’s strength and he had to be literally -carried off the field. - -Watson was hustled on in his place and Yardley was cheering wildly, -exultantly for a score. The ball lay just over the ten-yard line now. -Four downs would spell victory or defeat. Less than a minute remained. -Fanning, almost ready to drop in his tracks, whispered hoarsely of a -drop-kick. Toby, seeing his condition, knew he would never make it and -shook his head. Fanning didn’t insist. Perhaps he was a bit relieved -that he need not make the effort. - -“We’ll put it over,” declared Toby confidently. “We can do it!” - -But Broadwood had massed her defenses solidly and when, fighting now -against time as well as against the enemy’s desperate resistance, -Deering had plunged to the left off tackle with scarcely a yard to show -for it, Toby’s confidence was disturbed. The Broadwood stand cheered -relievedly, exultantly. Tired warriors staggered to position. A babel -of shrill cries arose, the referee’s dominating all. - -“_Second, and nine to go!_” - -Toby studied the opposing defense, a forward pass in mind, but -Broadwood was set for such a trick. It would never go, and if it failed -the Green would have the ball as sure as shooting. The pigskin was -opposite the left hand goal-post now and, lest a field-goal should -prove the last resort, it must be kept centered. Toby thought hard and -fast and then shrilled his signals. Heming, who had taken Snowden’s -place, hurled himself at the living wall and floundered into it for -nearly two yards. Broadwood and Yardley cheers mingled. - -“Roover back!” yelped Toby. “67――33――21!” He looked about at the drawn, -intense faces of the three backs. “Make it good! 67――33――21――111――――” - -Toby slapped the ball into Roover’s arms, dug in behind him and -followed, floundering, pushing, panting. The Green’s defense wavered, -gave, held again. Grunts and groans and hoarse breathings filled the -air, and through them the shrill piping of the whistle came. - -“_Third and seven to go!_” - -The fake-kick had failed to fool the enemy. Toby looked almost -despairingly along the line, searching for some telltale sign in a -Broadwood countenance that would hint of failing strength, but he saw -none. Distress there was in plenty, but grim determination as well. -Seven yards still to go and but two downs left! If only Snowden had -remained to try the field-goal! Roover might do it, but Roover was -spent and reeling. A horrid fear that failure was to be their portion -took possession of Toby for an instant and his heart sank. But the -instant passed and he raised his voice cheerfully, encouragingly: - -“That’s the stuff, Yardley! One more like that and we’re over! They’re -quitting! Get into this hard! Here’s where we win! Signals!” - -Heming again, with Roover once more back in kicking position, Heming -smashing at the opposing right guard, stopping, edging on, and again -stopping, with every Broadwood defender massed before him, thrusting, -grunting, fighting like mad. And again the whistle and the quick voice -of the referee. - -“_Fourth down! Five and a half to go!_” - -“_Twelve seconds!_” shouted some one. - -“Come on, Yardley!” shrieked Toby. “Get in there, Snow! Let’s finish -it! You’ve got to do it this time! It’s your last chance, fellows! Hold -that line now! Hold it! Roover back!” - -The Broadwood defense widened, the backs spread, the ends poised to -dash around on the kicker. And Toby, noting, was triumphant. Something -had called back to memory that day when, volunteering to play quarter -on the second and finding his mind blank of plays, he had unwittingly -sent a half straight into the line and made the distance. It was -the unexpected that won then, he reflected, and now it must be the -unexpected to win again. Broadwood was certain that the enemy would not -waste her last chance on a line assault with more than five yards to -go. Broadwood looked for a try-at-goal or, failing that, a short, quick -heave over the line. Toby looked around. A half must take the ball, for -the play must go fast. He wanted Arnold, but Arnold was not fit for -the task. Heming, fresher, his young face white with excitement and -longing under the streaks of dirt, must make the attempt. Toby called -the signals. The tense bodies stiffened. The ball shot back from center -to Heming. Roover feigned to catch and kick. The Broadwood ends came -racing in. Confusion reigned, and in the very center of it, plunging, -fighting, the Yardley ends and backs behind him, was Heming. - -Straight at center he had gone. There was no hole awaiting him, but -the assault was so sudden, so unexpected that the enemy gave and he -went smashing through. Then the Broadwood backs threw themselves to -the rescue and the line held. For a moment the advance paused and the -referee’s whistle went to his lips, and in that moment Roover charged -in behind the struggling wedge, the mass moved forward again, a foot, -a yard, faster, and yet faster! And then, suddenly the defense fell -to pieces and Heming, his head and shoulders well above the sea of -writhing bodies, shot forward and down and was gone from sight. And -from the Yardley stands arose a straining shout that reached even Toby, -buried deep in the wake of the victory! - - * * * * * - -A few minutes later, when goal had been tried for and missed, when -cheers were hurtling up at a shadowing sky and the field of battle was -a mad scene of Yardley rejoicing, Toby, rather the worse for wear, got -to his feet, assisted by Arnold and Tubb, while about them an impatient -mob waited to seize them and carry them off. He cast an apologetic -look at Arnold. - -“I’m awfully sorry, Arn,” he panted. - -“Sorry for what?” demanded the other. - -“That fourth down. I wanted you to have the ball, Arn, but I didn’t -dare. You were too done up. It had to be Heming, honest!” - -“Oh, forget it, old dear! Of course it had to be Heming! What do you -suppose I care? We won, didn’t we?” - -“Did we?” exclaimed Tubb exultantly. “_Did we!_ Why, say――――” - -“Then that’s all right,” said Toby happily. “I was afraid――――” - -But Toby’s fear was never voiced then, for the waiting mob descended on -them and rude hands hoisted them aloft, and Toby, bobbing about above -the heads of the laughing, shouting, pushing throng, knew for a moment -a joy of triumph as great as Alexander’s after the Battle of Issus! - - -THE END - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes: - - ――Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_). - - ――Printer’s, punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently - corrected. - - ――Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved. - - ――Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOURTH DOWN! *** - -***** This file should be named 63892-0.txt or 63892-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/8/9/63892/ - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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charset=utf-8" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - - <title> - Fourth Down!, by Ralph Henry Barbour—A Project Gutenberg eBook - </title> - - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - - <style type="text/css"> - -/* DACSoft styles */ - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -/* General headers */ -h1 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -/* Chapter headers */ -h2 { - text-align: center; - font-weight: bold; - line-height: 1.5em; -} - -div.chapter { - page-break-before: always; -} - -h2.nobreak { - page-break-before: avoid; -} - -/* Indented paragraph */ -p { - margin-top: .51em; - margin-bottom: .49em; - text-align: justify; - text-indent: 1em; -} - -/* Unindented paragraph */ -.noi { text-indent: 0em; } - -/* Centered unindented paragraph */ -.noic { - text-indent: 0em; - text-align: center; -} - -/* Drop caps */ -p.cap { text-indent: 0em; } - -p.cap:first-letter { - float: left; - padding-right: 3px; 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- max-width: 100%; -} - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -.tnote { - background-color: #E6E6FA; - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; - padding-bottom: .5em; - padding-top: .5em; - padding-left: .5em; - padding-right: .5em; -} - -.tntitle { - font-size: 1.25em; - font-weight: bold; - text-align: center; - clear: both; -} - -/* Title page borders and content. */ -.title { - font-size: 1.75em; - font-weight: bold; - text-align: center; - clear: both; -} - -.halftitle { - font-size: 1.5em; - text-align: center; - clear: both; -} - -.author { - font-size: 1.25em; - text-align: center; - clear: both; -} - -.works { - font-size: .75em; - text-align: center; - clear: both; -} - -/* Advertisement formatting. */ -.adauthor { - font-size: 1.25em; - clear: both; -} - - </style> - </head> -<body> -<pre style='margin-bottom:6em;'>The Project Gutenberg EBook of Fourth Down!, by Ralph Henry Barbour - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this ebook. - -Title: Fourth Down! - -Author: Ralph Henry Barbour - -Release Date: December 05, 2020 [EBook #63892] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team - at https://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOURTH DOWN! *** -</pre> - -<div class="figcenter" id="cover"> - <img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="cover" title="cover" /> -</div> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="noic halftitle">FOURTH DOWN</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="figcenter" id="i_frontis"> - <img src="images/i_frontis.jpg" alt="" title="" /> - <br /> - <div class="caption"><a href="#Page_316">IN THE VERY CENTER OF IT, PLUNGING, FIGHTING, WAS HEMING</a></div> -</div> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h1>FOURTH DOWN!</h1> - - -<p class="p2 noic">BY</p> - -<p class="noi author">RALPH HENRY BARBOUR</p> - -<p class="noi works">AUTHOR OF “THE PLAY THAT WON,”<br /> -“THE LOST DIRIGIBLE,” ETC.</p> - -<div class="pad4"> -<div class="logocenter" id="logo"> - <img src="images/logo.jpg" style="width: 100%" alt="logo" title="logo" /> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="p4 noic"><span class="adauthor">D. APPLETON AND COMPANY</span><br /> -NEW YORK LONDON<br /> -1920</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="noic"><span class="allsmcap">COPYRIGHT</span>, 1920, <span class="allsmcap">BY</span></p> - -<p class="noic">D. APPLETON AND COMPANY</p> - -<p class="p4 noi works">PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CONTENTS</h2> - - -<table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> -<col style="width: 20%;" /> -<col style="width: 70%;" /> -<col style="width: 10%;" /> -<tr> - <th class="pr smfontr">CHAPTER</th> - <th class="tdl"></th> - <th class="smfontr">PAGE</th> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">I.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">Back to School</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">1</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">II.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">New Quarters</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">15</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">III.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">Sid Offers Advice</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">25</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">IV.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">G. W. Tubb</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">37</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">V.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">With the Second</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">46</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">VI.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">Signals</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">57</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">VII.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">Toby Makes a Call</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">67</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">VIII.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">Tubb Tries Football</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">79</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">IX.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">Yardley Plays Greenburg</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">94</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">X.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">Toby Empties His Locker</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">105</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">XI.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">Tom Fanning, Optimist</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">117</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">XII.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">First Team Vs. Second</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">136</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">XIII.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">Team-Mates Fall Out</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">146</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">XIV.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">Toby at Quarter</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">156</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">XV.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">The “Tough Bunch”</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">169</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">XVI.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">Tubb Wins Promotion</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">189</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">XVII.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">An “Accident”</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">201</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">XVIII.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">A Quarter-Back Run</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">218</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">XIX.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">Arnold Has a Thought</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">231</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">XX.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">An Encounter on the Beach</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">241</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">XXI.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">Tubb Barks a Knuckle</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">255</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">XXII.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">A Visit to the Office</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">269</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">XXIII.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">Tubb on the Trail</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">283</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">XXIV.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">Frick Is Called Away</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">294</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdrt">XXV.</td> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">Fourth Down</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">305</td> -</tr> -</table> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_1"></a>[1]</span></p> - -<p class="noi title" id="FOURTH_DOWN">FOURTH DOWN</p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I<br /> -<small>BACK TO SCHOOL</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">“We ought to be there in about twenty -minutes,” observed Arnold Deering, -glancing at his watch.</p> - -<p>One of his companions in the day-coach tossed -the magazine he had been idly glancing through, to -the top of the pile of suitcases beside him, yawned -widely, and nodded without enthusiasm.</p> - -<p>“If nothing happens,” he agreed.</p> - -<p>“What’s going to happen, you chump?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing, I suppose. Only, something might. -There might be an earthquake, or the train might -jump the track, or——”</p> - -<p>“Or you might talk sense, Frank! As for jumping -the track, this old train couldn’t jump a crack -in the floor! I guess you’re wishing something -would happen so you wouldn’t have to go back.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_2"></a>[2]</span></p> - -<p>“Oh, I don’t know,” Frank Lamson answered -doubtfully. “I guess I don’t mind—much. School’s -all right after a day or two. It’s getting into the -swing, just at first, that’s hard.”</p> - -<p>“In the interest of education,” proclaimed Arnold -pompously, “I move that summer vacations be -abolished.”</p> - -<p>“Put it the other way around,” said Frank, “and -I’ll second the motion. Joking aside, though, summer -vacations are fine, but they certainly spoil a -chap for hard work.” He shook his head dolefully. -He was a heavily-built youth of seventeen, but the -heaviness was that of bone and sinew rather than -of fat. With regular features, dark hair and eyes -and a healthy skin, he was undeniably good-looking, -although the mouth somehow suggested a sort of -lazy arrogance and led an observer to the conclusion -that he was not invariably as amiable as at -present. He was almost painfully correct as to -attire.</p> - -<p>“Work!” sighed Arnold. “Why introduce unpleasant -subjects? Ever since I struck Yardley -fellows have dinned it into me that this year is -the toughest of all. ‘If you think Third Class is -hard,’ they said, ‘just wait till you’re in Second!’ -It doesn’t sound good to me, Frank!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_3"></a>[3]</span></p> - -<p>“Piffle! Fellows always talk that way. Even -First Class fellows shake their heads and tell you -they’re the hardest worked bunch in school, and -any one with a grain of sense knows that the last -year’s a perfect cinch. Anyway, you don’t need -to worry. You’re starting clean. I’ve got a condition -to work off, worse luck. I’m the one who -ought to be sore.”</p> - -<p>“Too bad,” said Arnold sympathetically. “Still, -‘Old Tige’s’ bark is worse than his bite, Frank. -You’ll get clear all right.”</p> - -<p>“Hope so.” Frank leaned across the piled-up -luggage to look through the window. A fleeting -glimpse of the sun-flecked surface of Long Island -Sound met his vision, and he frowned, mentally -contrasting the lazy, frolic-filled days of the passing -summer with the duties drawing nearer every minute. -“Light House Point,” he said, nodding. -“Greenburg in ten minutes.”</p> - -<p>“If nothing happens,” quoted Arnold, with a -smile. Like the boy opposite him, he was seventeen -years of age, and, like him, too, he was extremely -well-dressed. But in Arnold Deering’s case the attire -appeared to stop short of effort, or it may -have been that he was less conscious of it. While -it is fair to call Frank good-looking it is no exaggeration<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_4"></a>[4]</span> -to say that Arnold was handsome. A -straight nose under a broad forehead, deep brown -eyes, a mouth showing good-temper, and a round -chin, all went to make up a countenance extremely -attractive. He wore his dark brown hair brushed -straight back, a style that went well both with -his face and with his height and slenderness. There -was nothing effeminate about him, though. He -was not what fellows contemptuously call a “pretty -boy” and his slim frame was well-muscled and suggested -the best of physical condition.</p> - -<p>“Don’t think I’d mind if something did happen,” -answered Frank, rather disconsolately, “so long as -it put off the evil day.”</p> - -<p>“Cheer up, old thing!” laughed Arnold. “To-morrow -you’ll be as gay as a lark, won’t he, Toby?”</p> - -<p>The third member of the party, who, next the -window, had been occupied with a magazine for the -last half-hour, turned a pair of very blue eyes -toward the speaker and smiled. Although he had -been following the story closely, the conversation -of his companions had not been entirely lost to -him, and Arnold’s question had reached him between -the last word on page 19 and the continuation -on an elusive page 134. “I’d never expect to see -Frank as gay as a lark,” he replied readily. “If<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_5"></a>[5]</span> -you had said as happy as a seagull, though——” -He returned to the search for page 134.</p> - -<p>“Seagull?” protested Arnold. “The silly things -never <em>are</em> happy! They’re always crying and making -a fuss.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, they’re happy enough,” said the other, with -a twinkle in his eyes, “but they don’t want to think -so!”</p> - -<p>Arnold laughed and Frank said, “You go to the -dickens, Toby,” but grinned a little as he said it. -There had been a time when he would have taken -Toby Tucker’s jest not so amiably, but closer intimacy -with that youth had rendered his dignity less -tender.</p> - -<p>“Toby’s got you sized up, Frank,” laughed -Arnold. “You do like to grouch a bit, you know.”</p> - -<p>“We all do, at times,” said Toby, comfortingly. -He found the page he was seeking and settled back -again. But Arnold plucked the magazine from his -hands and tossed it to the opposite seat.</p> - -<p>“We’re nearly in Greenburg, T. Tucker,” he said. -“Sit up like a gentleman and talk to us.”</p> - -<p>Toby looked reproachfully at his friend and regretfully -at the magazine. Then he smiled. He -had rather a remarkable smile, had Toby. It made -you forget that his nose was too short, his chin<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_6"></a>[6]</span> -almost aggressively square, his tanned face too -liberally freckled, his hair undeniably red. It made -him almost good-looking and eminently likable. -Tobias Tucker’s smile was a valuable asset to him, -although he didn’t know it.</p> - -<p>“What shall I talk about?” he asked. “Want me -to tell you a dreadfully funny story?”</p> - -<p>“What’s it about?” demanded Arnold, suspiciously.</p> - -<p>“About old Cap’n Gaines,” replied Toby, innocently. -“He——”</p> - -<p>“<em>Help!</em>” cried the others with unflattering unanimity.</p> - -<p>“If you ever try to tell that again, Toby,” added -Arnold, very stern and very solemn, “we’ll——”</p> - -<p>But what was to happen in such an event was -never told, for what happened at that moment very -effectually ended Arnold’s discourse. There was a -terrific grinding of brakes, a loud hissing sound, -and an irresistible tendency on the part of every -one and everything in the day-coach to proceed hurriedly -to the front door. Because of various obstructions -none succeeded, but all did their best. -Arnold landed in Frank’s lap and Toby draped himself -over the piled-up luggage, his head hanging -over the back of the seat ahead. A cloud of unsuspected<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_7"></a>[7]</span> -dust filled the car as, with a series of emphatic -and uncomfortable jerks, the train came to a -standstill. To the accompaniment of a vocal confusion -of cries, exclamations, and grunts, the occupants -of the car disentangled themselves from each -other or picked themselves from the floor.</p> - -<p>“Get—off—me!” groaned Frank. “You’ve—broken—my -neck!”</p> - -<p>“What was it?” gasped Arnold, relieving the -other of his unwelcome embrace. “Are we -wrecked?”</p> - -<p>“I am, anyway!” growled Frank. “Where’s my -hat? Oh, thanks!” He accepted it from a dazed -occupant of the seat ahead. Toby Tucker retired -from his graceful position atop the suitcases and observed -Arnold questioningly, his straw hat tilted -down to the bridge of his nose. Arnold chuckled. -“Guess it was Frank’s earthquake,” he said.</p> - -<p>“Keep your places!” admonished a trainman, putting -his head in the forward door. “Obstruction on -the track! No danger!”</p> - -<p>“Gee!” muttered Toby. “That was some stop, -fellows!”</p> - -<p>“It sure was!” agreed Frank emphatically, feeling -doubtfully of his neck. “It nearly snapped my<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_8"></a>[8]</span> -head off! And then Arn landed on me like a ton -of bricks.”</p> - -<p>“Let’s go see,” said Toby. “What’s this?” He -raised a foot from which dangled Arnold’s hat. “I’m -sorry. Sort of mussed, I’m afraid.”</p> - -<p>Arnold took it, viewed it ruefully and put it on. -“It’s all Frank’s fault,” he grumbled as he joined -the exodus through the nearer door. “He insisted -that something was going to happen, and it did!”</p> - -<p>How near that something had come to being a -catastrophe was revealed to them when they pushed -their way through the throng at the head of the -train. Not eighty feet distant from the pilot of the -throbbing locomotive stood a lone box-car, its forward -truck lodged against its rear. It was loaded -and sealed and marked “Greenburg.” A curve in -the track behind had hidden it from the fireman’s -sight until there had remained just space in which to -avert a collision.</p> - -<p>“How do you suppose it got here?” asked Frank.</p> - -<p>“Front truck got loose and the car broke its -coupling, so they say,” volunteered a boy beside -him.</p> - -<p>“Hello, Billy,” greeted Frank. “You on the -train? I didn’t see you. I suppose this will hold -us up awhile, eh?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_9"></a>[9]</span></p> - -<p>“I thought they always had a caboose on the -tail-end of a freight,” objected Arnold.</p> - -<p>“I believe they do,” agreed Billy Temple, “but -this car and some more were on a siding about a -mile back and they were sort of switching ’em into -the Greenburg yard. Hello, Tucker. What car -were you fellows in?”</p> - -<p>“Fourth, I guess,” answered Arnold. “If it -hadn’t been for Frank, though, I’d have landed in -the first when we stopped! Felt as if my spine -was being pushed right through to the front of me!”</p> - -<p>“Me too,” chuckled Temple. “There was an old -codger in my car with a basket of eggs. He got on -at that last stop we made. There wasn’t much -room, so he kept the eggs in his lap. Then Mr. -Engineer put the airbrakes on and—Bingo!”</p> - -<p>“What happened?” demanded Arnold delightedly.</p> - -<p>“Why, the old gentleman and the eggs went on -top of a fat man in front. Talk about your omelets! -Oh, boy!”</p> - -<p>“Let’s go back and sit down,” suggested Toby -when Temple’s narrative had been properly appreciated. -“It’s too hot out here. And I suppose we -won’t get started again for an hour.”</p> - -<p>“More like two,” grumbled Frank. “They’ll<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_10"></a>[10]</span> -have to send a wrecking train and lift that car out -of the way. Rotten luck!”</p> - -<p>“Hark to the plaintive wail of the seagull,” murmured -Toby.</p> - -<p>“That’s right, Frank,” Arnold chuckled. “Ten -minutes ago you wanted something to happen to -keep you from getting to Yardley, and now——”</p> - -<p>“That’s all right,” answered Frank haughtily, -“but it’s nearly four, and supper’s at six.”</p> - -<p>“True, O Solomon! I get your viewpoint. There -is much in what you say. Still, if we get moving -again in an hour or so——”</p> - -<p>“We might walk, if it wasn’t for the bags,” -mused Toby. “It can’t be more than eight or nine -miles.”</p> - -<p>“Eight or nine miles!” moaned Arnold. “And on -an empty stomach!”</p> - -<p>“We-ell, I meant on the railroad,” said Toby demurely, -“but if you prefer——”</p> - -<p>“Wish we had a pack of cards,” said Frank -gloomily as they returned to their car. “We might -have a three-handed game of something. Or get -Billy Temple in here.”</p> - -<p>“I’m going to finish that story I was reading,” -said Toby. “You two play.”</p> - -<p>“Well, if we can find some cards,” began Arnold,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_11"></a>[11]</span> -leading the way to their seats. Then: “What’s the -matter with the chap over there, Toby? Nose-bleed?” -he asked.</p> - -<p>Toby, following his friend’s gaze, saw a pale-faced, -large-eyed boy of perhaps fifteen holding a -crimson-stained handkerchief to his face. “Guess -so,” said Toby. “Maybe he got bumped. Wonder -if he knows how to stop it?”</p> - -<p>“Do you?” Arnold asked, pushing by to his seat.</p> - -<p>“Yes, I know four or five ways. Guess I’ll ask -him.”</p> - -<p>He left the others and walked back three seats -to where the boy was hunched somewhat disconsolately -beside an open window. He was a surprisingly -unattractive chap, Toby thought, but maybe -he couldn’t help that unwholesome white complexion. -But he could help, Toby told himself a -moment later, that very soiled collar he was wearing!</p> - -<p>“Nose-bleed?” asked Toby smilingly.</p> - -<p>The boy shook his head, looking up over the -stained handkerchief with an expression of sullen -suspicion in his staring brown eyes.</p> - -<p>“What’s the trouble then?” Toby took the vacant -seat. “Let me have a look, won’t you?”</p> - -<p>After a second of hesitation the boy removed<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_12"></a>[12]</span> -the handkerchief, revealing a short but deep cut on -his upper lip. It was bleeding profusely. Toby -clucked sympathetically. “How’d you get it?” he -asked.</p> - -<p>“I was getting a drink back there,” muttered the -boy, “when the train stopped. It threw me against -the arm of a seat, I guess. Anyway, first thing I -knew I was on the floor.” His tone was resentful -and his look seemed to hold Toby to blame for the -accident.</p> - -<p>“Too bad,” said the latter kindly. “Got another -handkerchief with you?” The boy shook his head. -“I’ll lend you one, then. I’ll get it and wash the -cut well. You step back to the water tank.”</p> - -<p>Toby returned to his seat and dragged his suitcase -from the pile. “Fellow’s got a nasty cut on his -lip,” he explained. “Fell down when the train -slowed up and hit on something.”</p> - -<p>“What are you going to do?” inquired Frank. -“Operate on him?”</p> - -<p>“Find a handkerchief for him.”</p> - -<p>“Who is he? One of our chaps?” asked Arnold.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know. He may be. Doesn’t look it. -Get your enormous feet out of the way. I’ll be -back in a sec.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_13"></a>[13]</span></p> - -<p>“If you want any one to administer the -ether——” suggested Frank.</p> - -<p>Toby laughed and joined his patient by the rear -door. There he gave the wound a thorough washing, -while the boy scowled and grunted. Then, seeing -that the sides of the cut ought to be brought together, -he left the other with a folded handkerchief -pressed to the wound and made his way forward to -the baggage car. When he returned he had a roll -of surgeon’s tape and a wad of absorbent cotton. -The boy protested in his sullen way against further -repairs, but Toby overruled him. “You don’t want -a nasty scar there,” he said cheerfully. “You hold -this cotton there until I get the tape ready. That’s -it. All right now. Hold steady, now. I’m not -hurting you. There! Now we’ll roll this cotton in -the handkerchief and you can stop the blood with -it. I don’t think it will bleed much longer. Have -you got far to go?”</p> - -<p>“Wissining,” muttered the boy.</p> - -<p>“Oh, do you live in Wissining?”</p> - -<p>“No, I’m going to school there,” answered the -other resentfully. “I thought maybe you were, -too.”</p> - -<p>“Why, yes, I am. You must be a new boy then.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_14"></a>[14]</span></p> - -<p>The other nodded. “I’ve never seen the rotten -place,” he said.</p> - -<p>“Really?” asked Toby rather coldly. “Well, I -hope you’ll like it better than you think.”</p> - -<p>The boy stared back in his sullen fashion. -“Shan’t,” he muttered. Toby shrugged.</p> - -<p>“That’s up to you, I guess.” He nodded curtly -and moved away, feeling relieved at the parting. -But the boy stopped his steps.</p> - -<p>“Say, what’ll I do with this handkerchief?” he -asked.</p> - -<p>“Oh, throw it away, please,” said Toby.</p> - -<p>If he had done so this story might have been -different.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_15"></a>[15]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II<br /> -<small>NEW QUARTERS</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">At eight o’clock that evening, having reached -Wissining only a little more than an hour -late and done full justice to supper, Toby -and Arnold were busily unpacking and setting -things to rights in Number 12 Whitson, which, as -those who know Yardley Hall School will remember, -is the granite dormitory building facing southward, -flanked on the west by the equally venerable -Oxford Hall and on the east by the more modern -Clarke. There were those who liked the old-time -atmosphere of Whitson; its wooden stairways, its -low ceilings, its deep window embrasures and wide -seats; who even forgave many a lack of convenience -for the sake of the somewhat dingy home-likeness. -Perhaps, too, they liked to feel themselves -heirs to the legends and associations that -clustered about the building. On the other hand, -there were scoffers dwelling more luxuriously in -Clarke or Dudley or Merle who declared that the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_16"></a>[16]</span> -true reason for Whitson’s popularity was that the -dining hall, known at Yardley as Commons, occupied -the lower floor and that fellows living in -the building consequently enjoyed an advantage -over those dwelling in the other dormitories.</p> - -<p>Not all the Whitson rooms were desirable, however. -On the third floor, for instance, was one that -Toby, when he looked about the comparative -grandeur of Number 12, remembered without regrets. -He had passed last year under its sloping -roof in an atmosphere of benzine and cooking. The -benzine odor was due to the fact that he had conducted -a fairly remunerative business in cleaning -and pressing clothes, the smell of cooking to the -fact that the room’s one window was directly above -the basement kitchen. This year the atmosphere -promised to be sweeter, for Number 12 was on the -front of the building, away from the kitchen, and -Toby had retired from business.</p> - -<p>There were moments when he viewed his retirement -with alarm, for, although his father had assured -him that sufficient money would be forthcoming -to meet expenses if Toby managed carefully, -he couldn’t quite forget that, should anything -interrupt the prosperity of the boat-building -business at home, there would be nothing to fall<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_17"></a>[17]</span> -back on. But Arnold had made the abandoning -of the cleaning and pressing industry a condition -of his invitation to a share of Number 12. “Homer’s -not coming back, Toby,” he had announced in -August. (Homer Wilkins had been Arnold’s -roommate the preceding year.) “I wish you’d come -down to Number 12 with me. It won’t cost you -much more than that cell up in Poverty Row; and -that’s an awful dive, anyway. Of course, you -can’t go on with that beastly, smelly clothes-cleaning -stunt, but you weren’t going to anyway, were -you? I mean, since your father’s business has -picked up so this spring and summer you won’t have -to, eh?”</p> - -<p>Frankly, Toby had fully intended to. Being even -partly self-supporting gives one a feeling of independence -that one hates to lose. But Toby said -nothing of that. He thought it over and, because -he was very fond of Arnold, as Arnold was of him, -and because Number 22 had been pretty bad at -times, he yielded. This evening he was very glad -that he had, as, pausing with a crumpled pair of -trousers in his hand midway between his battered -trunk and his closet, he viewed again the quiet -comfort of the big square room. Wilkins had removed -a few things, but they were not missed, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_18"></a>[18]</span> -Arnold’s folks were sending down another chair -and a small bookcase from New York for Toby’s -use. A fellow ought, he reflected, to be very -happy in such a place; and he felt renewed gratitude -to Arnold for choosing him to share its comforts. -Arnold might easily have picked one of several -fellows as a roommate without surprising -Toby: Frank, for instance. Arnold had known -Frank longer than he had known Toby. Reflecting -in such fashion, Toby remained immovable so long -that Arnold, who had for the moment abandoned -more important business to put together a new -loose-leaf notebook under the mellow glow of the -droplight on the big table, looked across curiously.</p> - -<p>“What’s your difficulty, T. Tucker?” he asked. -“Gone to sleep on your feet? Reaction, I suppose, -after the near-trainwreck!”</p> - -<p>“I was just thinking,” answered Toby slowly, -“that this is an awfully jolly room and that it was -mighty good of you to let me come in with you.”</p> - -<p>“Well, the room’s all right. (How in the dickens -does this thing catch?) I like it a heap better than -those mission-furnished rooms in Clarke. Of -course, next year I suppose I’ll try for Dudley, with -the rest of the First Class fellows, although I don’t -know about that, either. Maybe I won’t. Maybe<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_19"></a>[19]</span> -I’ll stick here. It’s getting a whole lot like home, -Toby. But as for its being good for me to have you -with me here, why, that’s sort of funny, T. Tucker. -Guess you’re not the only one that’s—er—that’s -benefited, what? Rather like it myself, if you must -know. Homer and I got on pretty well, all things -considered, but that was mainly because he’s too -lazy to quarrel with you about anything. Personally, -Toby, I like a row now and then. It sort of—clears -the atmosphere, so to speak. That’s why I -thought of you. You’ve got such a perfectly beastly -disposition and such a rotten temper that I can -have a scrap whenever I feel the need of it. So, you -see, it was pure selfishness, after all, old thing.”</p> - -<p>Toby smiled and went over to the closet with his -burden. “We started with a scrap, anyway,” he -said. “Remember it, Arn?”</p> - -<p>“Perfectly. I intimated that your hair was sort -of reddish and you didn’t like it. So you came at -me like a cyclone and we both went into the harbor. -I remember it perfectly. It started because you -wanted twenty-four cents a gallon for some gasoline.”</p> - -<p>“Twenty-two. You said you paid only twenty in -New York.”</p> - -<p>“Anyway, I offered you less than you asked, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_20"></a>[20]</span> -you said you’d pump it out of the tank again, -and——”</p> - -<p>“Good thing I didn’t have to try it,” laughed -Toby. “That was only a little over a year ago, -Arn! Why, it seems years!”</p> - -<p>“Much has happened since then, T. Tucker,” replied -Arnold, tossing the notebook on the table. -“Events have transpired. In the short space of—let -me see; this is September—in the short space of -fifteen months you were rescued from a living-death -in the Johnstown High School and became a -person of prominence at Yardley Hall!”</p> - -<p>“Prominent as a cleaner and presser of clothes,” -laughed Toby.</p> - -<p>“Nay, nay, prominent as one swell hockey player, -Toby, and also, if I mistake not, as a rescuer of -drowning youths. Don’t forget you’re a hero, old -thing. By the way, I wonder if young Lingard’s -back. For your sake, I hope he isn’t. His gratitude -to you for saving him from a watery death was a -bit embarrassing to you, I thought!”</p> - -<p>Toby smiled ruefully. “You didn’t <em>think</em>, you -<em>knew</em>,” he said grimly. Arnold laughed.</p> - -<p>“To see you slinking around a corner to evade -the kid was killing, Toby! And he is such a little<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_21"></a>[21]</span> -rotter, too! While you were rescuing, why didn’t -you pull out something a little more select?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, Tommy isn’t a bad sort really,” responded -Toby earnestly. “He—he just didn’t get the right -sort of bringing-up, I suppose.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe. Personally, I always feel like taking -him over my knee and wearing out a shingle on -him! Well, this won’t get our things unpacked. -Let’s knock off after a bit and see who’s back. -Funny none of the gang has been in. Wonder if -Fan’s back. And Ted Halliday.”</p> - -<p>“I saw Fanning at supper,” said Toby.</p> - -<p>“We’ll run over to Dudley after awhile and look -him up. You like him, don’t you, Toby?”</p> - -<p>“Fanning? Yes, but I don’t really know him as -well as some of the other fellows. He’s football -captain this year, isn’t he?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.” Arnold nodded and then frowned. -“Sometimes I wish we’d elected some one else: -Ted, maybe, or Jim Rose.”</p> - -<p>“Why? I thought you liked Fanning a lot. And -he was the whole thing last year in the Broadwood -game, wasn’t he?”</p> - -<p>“I do like him. He’s a mighty fine chap. And -he’s a whale of a player. Only, what sort of a captain -will he make? He’s too easy, to my way of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_22"></a>[22]</span> -thinking. He’s likely to fall for a lot of fellows -who can’t play much just because they’re friends -of his. I don’t mean that he will intentionally show -favoritism, but he’s too plaguy loyal to his friends, -Toby. To tell the truth, I’m half inclined to stay -out of it this fall—No, that isn’t so, either. What -I do mean is that I’m scared that Fan may keep me -on even if I don’t really make good. And I’d hate -that worse than poison. I want to make the team, -but I don’t want fellows to wink and laugh and look -wise about me. You know the sort of stuff: ‘Oh, -Deering, ye-es, he’s all right. But it’s lucky for him -Fanning’s a friend of his!’ That sort of guff. Of -course, this new coach, Lyle, may be a chap with a -mind of his own and not stand for any of the -friend-of-my-youth stuff. I hope so. I’d feel better -anyway. By the way, you haven’t changed your -mind, Toby?”</p> - -<p>“About football? No.”</p> - -<p>“I wish you would. Why don’t you?”</p> - -<p>“Lots of reasons,” answered Toby smilingly. -“In the first place, I tried it last fall. In the -sec——”</p> - -<p>“You call that trying? You just went out with -a whole mob of fellows and loafed around until -they got tired of walking on you. Besides, you<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_23"></a>[23]</span> -were out for the Second. The First’s a different -proposition, son, especially now that you’ve made -good in hockey. Every one knows that you’ll be -hockey captain next year.”</p> - -<p>“It’s more than I know,” said Toby good-naturedly. -“Anyhow——”</p> - -<p>“And you’re at least fifteen pounds heavier than -a year ago. They said you were too light, didn’t -they?”</p> - -<p>“They meant in the head,” replied the other -gravely.</p> - -<p>“They were dead right, too! But, honest, old -thing, joking aside——”</p> - -<p>“Arn, I haven’t got time for football and I can’t -afford it.”</p> - -<p>“That’s what you said about hockey last winter. -And you were so pressed for time that you copped -a Ripley Scholarship! As for ‘affording’ it, where’s -the expense come in?”</p> - -<p>“Togs and things,” answered Toby. “And traveling -expenses. Arn, if I went in for football and -made the team—which I couldn’t do in a million -years—I’d have to go back to sponging coats and -pressing trousers, and that would make the room -awfully smelly, and you wouldn’t like it a bit.” -And Toby ended with a laugh.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_24"></a>[24]</span></p> - -<p>“Piffle! All right, have your own stubborn way. -You’ll miss a whole lot of fun, though.”</p> - -<p>“And a whole lot of bruises! Anyway, Arn, one -football hero is enough in a family. I’ll stay at -home and cut surgeon’s plaster for you and keep -your crutches handy and hear your alibis.”</p> - -<p>“Idiot,” said Arnold. “Come on, dump that -truck on the chair and let’s go over to Dudley. I -want to hear some sensible conversation for a -change.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t mean you’re going to keep quiet all -evening, do you?” asked Toby with concern.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_25"></a>[25]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III<br /> -<small>SID OFFERS ADVICE</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">The school year began the next morning. -Many new faces confronted Toby in the -recitation rooms and some familiar ones -were missing. Toby’s list of friends had not been a -long one last year, although acquaintances had been -many. It had been his first year at Yardley Hall, -which fact, coupled with a fairly retiring disposition, -had left him rather on the outside. It is -always a handicap to enter school in a class below -your friends, which is what Toby had done. Arnold -and Frank, both a year older, had been in the -Third, while Toby had gone into the Fourth. Consequently -the fellows he had met through Arnold—Frank -had not counted greatly as a friend last -year—had few interests that were Toby’s. To be sure, -in early spring, after he had made a success of -hockey, things had been somewhat different. But -even then he had remained a pretty insignificant -person among the three hundred and odd that made<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_26"></a>[26]</span> -up the student body of Yardley Hall School. Not -that Toby cared or thought much about it. He was -too busy getting through the year without calling on -his father for further financial assistance to pay -much attention to the gentle art of acquiring -friends.</p> - -<p>One friend, however, Toby had had, whether or -no. That was Tommy Lingard, a Preparatory -Class youngster, pink-cheeked, blue-eyed, shy and, -in appearance, the soul of innocence. That he -wasn’t as spotless as he looked has nothing to do -with this story. Toby had saved Tommy from -drowning, and thereafter the younger boy had attached -himself to his benefactor like a shadow. It -had been very embarrassing at times, for saving -a person’s life does not necessarily imply that you -want to spend the rest of your life in that person’s -company! Toby didn’t like Tommy, for which -there was a reason, but he couldn’t be brutal to him, -and short of being brutal there had seemed no way -of evading Tommy’s doglike devotion and his unwelcome -companionship. It had become a joke to -Arnold and a few others, but Toby found it far -from that. When June had brought the end of the -school year Toby couldn’t have told you whether he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_27"></a>[27]</span> -was more delighted at finishing an Honor Man in -his class or at getting rid of Tommy Lingard!</p> - -<p>He had returned this fall with a grim determination -to be rid of the boy at any cost short of murder, -but to-day, glancing uneasily about as he passed -from one recitation to another, he was not so sure -of himself. Probably, he reflected discouragedly, -when Tommy appeared and got those big blue eyes -on him he wouldn’t find it in his heart to be unkind -to the youngster, and the whole wretched, tiresome -program would begin all over again. Therefore -when, hurrying from his last morning recitation at -twelve, he almost bumped into Tommy on the steps -of Oxford, he was at once amazed and relieved -when that youth said, “Hello, Toby,” in a most -embarrassed voice and sidled past. At the foot of -the steps Toby stopped and looked back. Could -that be Tommy? Of course it was, but it was a -very different Tommy. He had shot up during the -summer like a weed. His clothes looked too small -for him, too short of leg and sleeve. He was thinner -of body and face, the pink-and-white complexion -had muddied, the blue eyes were no longer luminous -with truth and innocence and the voice had -dropped several notes to a ridiculous bass! In -short, Tommy had changed very suddenly from a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_28"></a>[28]</span> -blue-eyed cherub to a commonplace and awkward -boy. And Toby was very, very glad, so glad that -he went the rest of the way to Whitson whistling -at the top of his voice; or should I say at the top -of his whistle?</p> - -<p>“Just shows,” he reflected as he skipped up the -stairs, “that it doesn’t pay to worry about anything -that may happen, because maybe it won’t!”</p> - -<p>After a two o’clock séance with “Old Tige,” by -which name Mr. Gaddis, English instructor, was -popularly known, Toby went with Arnold down to -the athletic field. September had still a week to -run and the afternoon was almost uncomfortably -hot. Across the river, the wide expanse of salt -marsh was still green in places, and overhead the -sky was unflecked by clouds. Fortunately a little -westerly breeze mitigated the heat. Most of the tennis -courts were occupied, a group of baseball enthusiasts -were congregated over by the batting net -and on the blue surface of the curving stream a few -bright-hued canoes were moving slowly upstream -or down. Toby found himself almost wishing that -he had chosen a dip in the Sound instead of an hour -or more of unexciting observation of some fourscore -overheated youths going through football -practice. However, the new grandstand, finished<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_29"></a>[29]</span> -during the summer, was roofed, and as soon as -Arnold left him to his own devices Toby meant to -climb up there into the shade and sprawl in comfort. -On the way they passed new boys here and there—it -was easy to detect them if only by their too evident -desire to seem quite at home—and they agreed -gravely, pessimistically that they were a rum looking -lot, and wondered what the school was coming -to! Old friends and acquaintances hailed them -from a distance or stopped to chat. Arnold was -rather a popular fellow and knew a bewildering -multitude of his schoolmates.</p> - -<p>“Seems mighty nice to be back again,” Arnold -observed after one such meeting. “Bet you we’re -going to have a dandy time this year, T. Tucker.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe you will,” answered the other dubiously, -“but I don’t expect to unless they drop Latin from -the curriclumum—curric—well, whatever you call -it.”</p> - -<p>“Call it the course, old thing,” laughed Arnold. -“It’s easier on the tongue. But I thought you finished -strong with Latin last year.”</p> - -<p>“I did pretty well in spring term, but it looks -tougher this fall. And I’ve got Collins this year, -and every one says he’s a heap stricter than Townsend.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_30"></a>[30]</span></p> - -<p>“Well, he is, I suppose, but he’s a mighty good -teacher. You get ahead faster with Collins, I think. -Anyway, it won’t look so bad when you’ve got into -it, Toby. Besides, I dare say I can help you a bit -now and then.”</p> - -<p>“You,” jeered Toby with a very, very hollow -laugh. “You’ll be so full of football for the next -two months you won’t know I’m alive! A nice -outlook for me, I don’t think! When I’m not bathing -you with arsenic—or is it arnica?—or strapping -your broken fragments together I’ll have to listen to -you yapping about how it was you missed a tackle, -or got your signals mixed. Arn, as a companion -you’ll be just about as much use as a—a——”</p> - -<p>“Don’t overtax that giant intellect of yours, old -thing. It’s too hot. Wonder where the crowd is. -You don’t suppose those fellows are all that are -going to report?”</p> - -<p>“It’s not three yet. Probably the rest of them -preferred to stay sensibly in the shade while they -had the chance. Wish I had! Arn, is that what’s-his-name -over there?”</p> - -<p>“No, that’s thingumbob. Whom do you mean?”</p> - -<p>“The little man in the blue sweater-coat talking -to Fanning. See him?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. I guess it must be. Isn’t very big, is he?<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_31"></a>[31]</span> -Fan said last night, though, that he talked a heap -of sense. I’m going over. Come along and meet -him.”</p> - -<p>“No, thanks. I’ll wait here.”</p> - -<p>Arnold left him by the corner of the old grandstand -and made his way toward where the new -coach was in conversation with Captain Fanning. -Toby saw Fanning introduce Arnold to Mr. Lyle -and saw the two shake hands. Then something -broad and heavy smote him disconcertingly between -his shoulders and he swung around to find Sid -Creel’s grinning, moon-like countenance before him.</p> - -<p>“Hello, Toby!” greeted Sid, reaching for his -hand. “I had a beastly fright. Just when I was -lamming you I thought maybe it wasn’t you after -all. You’ve sort of thickened up since last year. -Rather embarrassing to find you’ve whacked a total -stranger on the back, eh? Much obliged to you for -being you, Toby. I’ll never forget it. What sort -of a summer did you have? You’re looking hard -as nails and more beautiful than ever!”</p> - -<p>“Same to you, Sid. Are you going out for football?” -Toby glanced at the other’s togs.</p> - -<p>“No,” replied Sid gravely. “I’m going to tea at -the Doctor’s.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” laughed Toby, “that was sort of a fool<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_32"></a>[32]</span> -question, but I didn’t know you were a football -shark.”</p> - -<p>“I’m not; I’m just a minnow. I’m trying for the -Second. I always do. I’ve been trying for the Second -Team for years and years. If I’m not here -they postpone until next day. I should think you’d -go in for the game, Toby. Ever tried it?”</p> - -<p>“A little. I was out for the Second last fall, but -I didn’t stay long.”</p> - -<p>“That so? I don’t remember seeing you.”</p> - -<p>“Funny, Sid; there were only about eighty of us -the first day!”</p> - -<p>“Well, I didn’t know you then, Toby. Why -don’t you try again? Didn’t you like it?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know. Guess I didn’t have time to find -out whether I did or didn’t. They said I was too -light and fired me after three or four days.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you certainly have enough weight now. -Come on and join the goats. It’s lots of fun. You -get action, son, and it lets you out of gymnasium -work while you’re at it. That’s something! Come -on!”</p> - -<p>Toby smiled and shook his head. “Guess not, -thanks. I never would make a football player.”</p> - -<p>“You? You’re just the kind, Toby. You’re -quick and you’ve got a good head, and you’re built<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_33"></a>[33]</span> -right, too. Wish I had your build. Only thing I’m -good for is center or, maybe, guard. I’m too bulky. -It isn’t all fat, though, believe thou me. Feel them -here biceps, son, if you doubt my word.”</p> - -<p>“I kind of envied you your fat—I mean your -muscular bulk, Sid—last winter,” answered Toby. -“You could fall flat on the ice without hurting -yourself. You just kind of bounced up and down -a few times and didn’t mind it. When I fell I -felt it!”</p> - -<p>“Never mind about me bouncing,” said Sid good-naturedly, -with a grin. “I got around the ice a -heap faster than some of the chaps at that. But -about football, Toby——”</p> - -<p>“I haven’t got time for it, Sid; that’s another -thing. I’ve got to put my nose to the grindstone, I -guess, this year.”</p> - -<p>“Well, haven’t I? Rather! But football won’t -cut in on studying—much. Anyway, a fellow studies -better for being out-of-doors and getting plenty -of exercise and——”</p> - -<p>“Yes, but I can be outdoors without playing football, -Sid.”</p> - -<p>“Gee, you’re the original little Excuse-Me! Well -so be it. After all, some one’s got to stay out of it -and be audience, and from the looks of things right<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_34"></a>[34]</span> -now, Toby, you’re the only fellow left to sit in the -grandstand and cheer us on to victory. Look at the -gang coming down! There’s a fellow I want to -see. So long! Better change your mind, though!”</p> - -<p>Arnold came back for a minute and then left -in answer to the plaintive squawking of a horn from -farther along the side of the field. Fully eighty -youths of assorted ages and sizes gathered about -the new coach and the hubbub was stilled as the -small man in the blue knitted jacket began to speak. -Toby could hear an occasional word, but not -enough to make sense, and, since it was no concern -of his, he turned toward the grandstand and -climbed up into the grateful shade. Forty or fifty -others had already scattered themselves about the -seats in couples or groups, most of them munching -peanuts or popcorn bars, ready to be amused if -amusement required no exertion on their parts. A -lazy way to spend a perfectly good afternoon, reflected -Toby. He wished he hadn’t let Arnold persuade -him to come, but, being here, he lacked -energy for the hot uphill walk back to the dormitory. -He would stay awhile, he told himself; at -least until the afternoon had cooled a little.</p> - -<p>There was a salvo of polite handclapping from -the group within sound of the coach’s voice and it<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_35"></a>[35]</span> -broke up. Andy Ryan, the trainer, emptied a canvas -bag of trickling footballs and they were -pounced on and borne away to various parts of the -field. The big group became half a dozen smaller -ones. It was only “kindergarten stuff” to-day, even -for the veterans; passing and falling and starting; -not very interesting from the viewpoint of candidate -or audience. Toby located Arnold working -with a squad under big Jim Rose. Arn was, as -Toby knew, pretty soft after a fairly lazy summer, -and the boy in the shade of the big stand smiled unfeelingly -as he saw his chum straighten himself -slowly in deference to protesting muscles.</p> - -<p>“He will be good and sore to-night,” thought -Toby. “Sailing a boat all summer doesn’t keep a -football man in very good trim, I guess!”</p> - -<p>After that he lost interest in the scene before him, -and, his somewhat battered straw hat on one knee -and the lazy breeze drying his damp hair, let his -thoughts carry him back to Greenhaven and the -folks in the little white cottage on Harbor Road. It -would be very pleasant there to-day on the vine-shaded -steps, with the harbor and the white sails -before him and the cheery <em>click-clock</em> of the caulking -iron and mallet and the busy <em>pip-pup, pip-pup</em> of -the gasoline engine sounding across from the boat<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_36"></a>[36]</span> -yard. Better still, though, would it be to lie in the -stern of a boat, main-sheet in hand, and slip merrily -out past the island to where, even to-day, the white-caps -would be dancing on the sunlit surface of the -bay. He was getting the least bit homesick when -the sound of approaching steps brought his wandering -thoughts back. Climbing the aisle was a -somewhat thin, carelessly dressed youth. His head -was bent and so Toby couldn’t see his face well, but -there was something dimly familiar about the figure. -Toby wondered why, with several hundred empty -seats to choose from, the boy, whoever he was, had -to come stamping up here. He sighed and changed -his position and was relapsing into his thoughts -again when he saw to his annoyance that the approaching -youth had stopped at the end of his row, -two seats distant. Toby’s gaze lifted curiously to -the boy’s face. Perhaps it was more the two strips -of rather soiled surgeon’s plaster adorning the -chap’s upper lip than the features that led Toby to -recognize him. Mentally, Toby groaned. Aloud, -trying to make his voice sound decently friendly, -he said: “Hello! Well, how’s it going?”</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_37"></a>[37]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV<br /> -<small>G. W. TUBB</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">“Hello,” answered the other gruffly.</p> - -<p>To Toby’s further annoyance he slid -into the end seat, as he did so producing -a folded but rather crumpled handkerchief from a -pocket. This he held across to Toby.</p> - -<p>“’Tain’t very clean,” he said, “but it’s the best -I could do.”</p> - -<p>“What is it?” asked Toby, accepting it doubtfully. -“Oh, I see; my handkerchief. You needn’t -have bothered. I told you to throw it away. Still, -much obliged.” It had quite evidently been washed -by the boy himself and ironed by the simple expedient -of laying it while wet on some smooth surface, -perhaps a windowpane. Faint brownish stains had -defied the efforts of the amateur laundryman. -Toby dropped it into a pocket, aware of the close -and apparently hostile stare of the other. “Much -obliged,” he repeated vaguely, for want of anything -better to say.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_38"></a>[38]</span></p> - -<p>“’At’s all right,” answered the other. “Too -good a handkerchief to throw away.” An awkward -silence followed. Toby wished the youth -would take himself off, but that idea was apparently -far from the latter’s mind. Instead, he thrust -his hands into the pockets of his trousers, stretched -his thin legs before him and scowled down at the -busy scene. He looked to be about fifteen, Toby -thought. His features were not bad in themselves, -but his expression was sullen and dissatisfied and -his complexion was too much the color of putty to -be pleasant to look at. Also, his skin didn’t seem -clean and healthy. The same was true of the youth -as a whole. Toby thought a thorough application -of hot water and soap would improve him a whole -lot, at least externally. His clothes were of good -enough material and fairly new. But they were -full of creases and needed brushing. His shoes -were scratched at the toes and would have been better -for dressing and polishing. His collar was -cleaner than yesterday, but creased and rumpled, -and the blue four-in-hand scarf needed tightening. -On the whole, this chap was not a prepossessing -member of Yardley Hall society, and Toby had -no desire to increase the acquaintance. But so -long as he was here some sort of conversation<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_39"></a>[39]</span> -seemed in order, and so, breaking the silence:</p> - -<p>“How’s the cut getting on?” Toby asked.</p> - -<p>“All right,” the other answered without turning -his head. Then: “Say,” he challenged.</p> - -<p>“Yes?”</p> - -<p>“Your name’s Tucker, ain’t it?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. What’s yours, by the way?” Toby was -sorry he had asked as soon as the question was out.</p> - -<p>“Tubb,” was the answer, “George Tubb.” There -was a pause. Then, defiantly: “Middle name’s -William. Go on and say it!”</p> - -<p>“Say it? Why, George William Tubb,” responded -Toby obligingly.</p> - -<p>The other turned and viewed him suspiciously. -Then he grunted. “Guess you don’t get it,” he muttered. -“George W. Tubb, see?”</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean,” -answered Toby indifferently.</p> - -<p>“You would if you saw it written,” said Mr. -Tubb gloomily. “Everybody does.” He pitched his -voice to a falsetto. “‘What’s the W. stand for? -Wash?’ Gee, I’m sick of it. I tried to tell the guy -in the office where you get registered that my middle -name was Harris, but he said it couldn’t be that -and begin with W. It’ll be W. in the catalogue, so -you might as well know it now. Well, I’ve been<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_40"></a>[40]</span> -‘Wash-tub’ ever since I was a foot high, so I guess -it don’t matter here!”</p> - -<p>“What’s the difference?” asked Toby. “One -nickname’s as good as another, isn’t it? Names -don’t matter.”</p> - -<p>“Some don’t. I suppose they call you ‘Red’ or -‘Carrot’ or something like that. I wouldn’t -mind——”</p> - -<p>“Hold on, Tubb!” Toby’s voice dropped a note. -“No one calls me what you said. Some fellows -have tried to, but they changed their minds. Understand?”</p> - -<p>Tubb grinned. “Don’t like it, eh? Thought you -said names didn’t matter! Well, I don’t like my -nickname any more than you like yours; I mean -what fellows started to call you.” The grin faded -and Tubb’s countenance became overcast again with -the settled expression of sullenness. “Anyway, -what they call me here doesn’t cut any ice. I won’t -be here long.”</p> - -<p>“How’s that?” asked Toby, trying to make his -question sound politely interested.</p> - -<p>“I’m going to beat it. This ain’t any kind of a -school for me, Tucker. Gee, what would I do here? -Look at the gang of highbrows and mamma’s darlings! -They’d stand for me about two days. I know<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_41"></a>[41]</span> -the sort. Some of ’em come to our town in summer. -Think they ever have anything to do with us -town guys? Not on your life! We’re too common -for ’em, the dear little Willie Boys!”</p> - -<p>“Why did you come here then?” asked Toby -coldly.</p> - -<p>“It was Pop’s idea,” replied Tubb. “Aunt Sarah -died last spring out in Michigan and she left Pop -some money. The will said some of it was to go -for my schooling. I wanted to go to Huckins’s, in -Logansport. Know it? It’s an all-right school and -two or three fellows from my town go there. It -don’t cost much, either. But Pop was set on this -dive. About ten years ago Pop was in partnership -with a man named Mullins in the logging business, -and this Mullins had a boy who went to school here. -Pop thought a lot of the Mullinses, and when he -learned about Aunt Sarah’s will he said right off I -was to go here. He got the high school principal -to coach me all summer. I kept telling him I -wouldn’t like it here, kept telling him it wasn’t any -place for a storekeeper’s son, but he wouldn’t listen. -He said he’d lick the hide off me if I didn’t pass the -examinations, and I knew he would. So I passed. -He’ll lick me if I go back home, too, so I’ve got to -go and get me a job somewhere. Guess I’ll enlist in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_42"></a>[42]</span> -the Navy. I’ll tell ’em I’m seventeen. They don’t -care. I know a fellow got in when he was a couple -of months younger than I am.”</p> - -<p>Toby viewed Tubb distastefully during a brief -silence. Then: “Seems to me,” he said slowly and -emphatically, “the Navy is just the place for you, -Tubb!”</p> - -<p>“Sure,” began the other. Then something in -Toby’s tone made him pause and view the other suspiciously. -“What do you mean by that?” he demanded.</p> - -<p>“Just what I said. What you need is discipline, -Tubb, and a whole lot of it, and you’ll get it in the -Navy. And I wish them joy of you!” Toby arose -and crowded past to the aisle.</p> - -<p>“Ah, go to thunder!” snarled Tubb. “You’re like -all the rest of them, ain’t you? Silk-sox! Who -cares what you think? Say, I hope you ain’t caught -anything, sitting alongside me like that!”</p> - -<p>There was more, but Toby didn’t hear it. Going -down the aisle he was uncomfortably conscious of -the curious looks bent on him by the occupants of -the nearer seats who had been aroused from their -sleepy occupation of following the practice by -Tubb’s strident voice. He was glad when he had -reached the ground and turned the corner of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_43"></a>[43]</span> -stand. Passing between the busy tennis courts, he -reflected that befriending strangers didn’t work out -very satisfactorily for him. After this, he decided, -smiling whimsically, fellows might drown or be cut -to pieces for all the help he would offer!</p> - -<p>Just before supper, when Arnold came back to -Number 12, a trifle washed-out looking and not -moving very spryly, Toby narrated the outcome of -the incident in the train. By this time he was able -to tell of the meeting with George W. Tubb with a -touch of humor and Arnold listened amusedly, -stretched at length on the window-seat.</p> - -<p>“You’re right, Toby, the Navy’s just the place -for friend Tubbs.”</p> - -<p>“Tubb,” corrected Toby. “There’s only one of -him, praise be!”</p> - -<p>“We’re getting some strange freaks here of late, -anyway,” reflected Arnold. “There were several on -the field this afternoon. Well, it takes all sorts to -make a world—or a football team! Say, T. Tucker, -the new coach is a peach. Fan’s crazy about him, -and so are the others. Did you hear the song-and-dance -he gave us before practice? Some sane and -sensible little speech, that was.”</p> - -<p>“What did he say?” asked Toby.</p> - -<p>“We-ell,” Arnold hesitated, “I don’t know that he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_44"></a>[44]</span> -said anything much different from what all coaches -say at the start of the season. It was more the way -he said it, I guess. Of course he insisted rather -painfully on hard work, and told us what a fine, -intelligent-looking lot we were.”</p> - -<p>“Must be nearsighted,” murmured Toby.</p> - -<p>“And said something nice about Fan. Oh, it was -much the usual speech, only—well, it did sound different, -somehow. One thing he did say, though, T. -Tucker, may interest you.”</p> - -<p>“You may proceed, Mr. Deering.”</p> - -<p>“He said he wanted every fellow in school who -had the possible making of a football player in him -to report not later than Monday, and that if they -didn’t volunteer he’d draft them! That ought to -give you something to think about, old thing.”</p> - -<p>“Meaning that I have somewhere concealed about -me the making of a football player?” asked Toby.</p> - -<p>“Exactly. You’d better keep out of Lyle’s way -or he will grab you.”</p> - -<p>After a moment Toby, who had armed himself -with towel and soap-dish preparatory to a trip to -the lavatory, moved to the door but paused with his -hand on the knob. “He can’t draft me, Arn,” he -said.</p> - -<p>“Why can’t he, I’d like to know?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_45"></a>[45]</span></p> - -<p>“Because I’m going out for the Second to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>“<em>What!</em> Honest? When—How——”</p> - -<p>But Toby had closed the door behind him.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_46"></a>[46]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V<br /> -<small>WITH THE SECOND</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">Of recent years the custom of having -separate organizations for the First -and Second Teams from the very outset -of the season had obtained at Yardley. In the -old days the Second was made up, perhaps a -fortnight after the school year had started, -of players who were not needed on the First and -those who, for one reason or another, were ineligible -for it. As a result, the Second as an adversary -for the First, or School, Team, never amounted to -much until the season was half gone. Under the -new system the Second came into being two or three -days after the start of the fall term, with a coaching -staff, small but sufficient, of its own, a captain -elected the preceding year and a general organization -similar to that of the First save as to size. The -coach was inevitably some enthusiastic and patriotic -fellow who had recently graduated and who -gave his services free. At times—whenever possible,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_47"></a>[47]</span> -in fact—he summoned other graduates to his -assistance. If he was a wise coach, he never had -more than one assistant at a time. If he was unwise, -he had—and chaos reigned.</p> - -<p>This year the coach was Mr. Burtis. Burtis had, -in his time, been a remarkable half-back and an -equally remarkable kicker, both in preparatory -school and college. He had left college last spring -and was, consequently, but twenty-one or twenty-two -years of age. Because Yardley Hall history -accorded him much fame as a player and leader, a -great deal was expected of him. Toby’s first look -at Kendall Burtis produced more surprise than anything -else. He found himself wondering how any -man could be as utterly homely as the coach and yet -look as attractive, how any one could have so many -angles in his body and yet be so free from awkwardness! -Burtis was rather large, ruggedly built, square -of frame. His mouth was broad, his nose somewhat -pug, his hair nondescript in hue. Yet in spite of -these things the face was pleasing and attractive. -Perhaps the very dark gray eyes, clear and steady -and honest, were accountable. Or it may be that -the mouth expressed kindliness. At all events, after -that first instant of surprise and confusion, Toby -liked the new coach immensely. Whether the new<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_48"></a>[48]</span> -coach liked Toby I can’t say. It is quite probable -that he didn’t see him, for Toby was only one of -some forty-eight fellows drawn up in a group on -the edge of the second diamond that Saturday afternoon.</p> - -<p>Toby wondered what words of wisdom would -fall from that generously-proportioned mouth, and -he craned his head over Sid Creel’s shoulder that he -might hear them all. What he did hear and see -were hardly worth the exertion. Coach Burtis, a -new football snuggled in his left elbow and his right -hand thrust into a pocket of an old pair of gray -trousers, looked pleasantly over the little throng for -a moment. Then: “Well,” he said genially. “It -looks like we had material for a good team here. -Let’s get busy!”</p> - -<p>That was all. Toby felt a trifle neglected and disappointed. -But he had to acknowledge that perhaps -getting busy was as important as listening to -a speech. After that, for more than an hour and -a half, he had very little opportunity for feeling -neglected. There were moments when he wished he -might. Coach and captain were both believers in -hard work, and both buckled down resolutely to the -task ahead of them. More than half the material -was inexperienced, much of what remained was useless,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_49"></a>[49]</span> -and only some twelve or fourteen candidates -combined experience with ability. To-day’s work -was the veriest drudgery, and, although occasional -halts were called, yet the September sun did unkind -things to many. Toby, rather to his surprise, discovered -that he was not nearly so hard and fit as -he had thought. After ten minutes of passing and -falling, he perspired from every pore, and ere the -afternoon’s practice was finished, he felt very much -like a wet rag. Also, he had somehow managed -to develop a painful crick in his left shoulder, close -to his neck. And the muscles in the backs of his -legs felt as if some one had pounded them with a -board. On the whole, he was far less enthusiastic -than he had been at three o’clock, and even the -shower failed of much reaction. Dragging a tired -body from the gymnasium across the yard to Whitson, -he wondered by just what mental process he -had the day before arrived at the decision to play -football!</p> - -<p>As a matter of fact, there had been, so far as he -could recall, no mental process at all. Arnold had -threatened him with the First Team draft and almost -without reflection he had announced that he -was going out for the Second! Ten minutes before, -or even three, he had had no more idea of a football<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_50"></a>[50]</span> -career than he had had of jumping from the -window. Well, reflected Toby ruefully, it just -showed that you couldn’t be too careful of impulses!</p> - -<p>He supposed that Sid Creel was mainly responsible -for these aching muscles. He had resolutely -refused to be persuaded by Sid’s arguments, and -yet, apparently, he had been! Or else he had done -it just to surprise Arnold. Maybe that was it. If it -was, it was a mighty poor reason! Any amount of -surprise on the part of Arnold wasn’t worth the -soreness of those leg muscles! He groaned as he -started up the stairs, but nearing the door of Number -12, he assumed a carefree and nonchalant air -designed to deceive Arnold in case that youth was -within.</p> - -<p>He wasn’t, though, and Toby was thankful. It -gave him a chance to lie down on the window seat, -groaning as much as he pleased while doing it, without -arousing curiosity. He dropped his cap—he -had put by the straw hat—on the nearest object and -divested himself of an unnecessary coat. It was -while he was getting rid of the latter article of apparel -that his eyes fell on an envelope propped -against the base of the droplight on his side of the -table. It bore his name in funny up-and-down<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_51"></a>[51]</span> -characters, like the writing of a boy of ten, and the -postmark showed that it was mailed in Wissining -that morning. Of course, it might be only an invitation -to deal at one of the few local stores, but -there was evidence against that premise; such as the -lack of any address in the corner, the queer writing -and a brownish smudge along the flap suggesting -that unclean hands had sealed the envelope. He -bore it to the window seat, settled himself cautiously -against the pile of cushions, stretched his aching -legs out and tore open the letter. A single sheet of -blue-ruled paper emerged. Toby read it frowningly.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Dear Tucker: I’m sorry for what I said this afternoon. -I didn’t mean it because you are the only fellow -at this place who has been decent towards me -since I came here. I got mad and I wish I hadn’t and -I’m sorry. I wish you’d forgive me, please, Tucker. I -guess what you said was true about the Navy, I mean, -and maybe I’ll do like I said. Every one here shows -plain that I am not wanted at this school and I guess -the sooner I beat it the better. If more fellows were -like you maybe I could stick it out. I am not afraid -of the studies. It is not that, but the fellows here are -not my kind I suppose. You are not either, but you -acted like you did not think much about that. I am -just writing this because you were decent to me in -the train that day, more than any other fellow has<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_52"></a>[52]</span> -been, and I do not want you to think I am no good at -all, with no gratitude. If I do not see you again, -good-by and good luck, from Yours Truly, Geo. W. -Tubb.</p></div> - -<p>Toward the end of the queer epistle Toby’s frown -disappeared, and when he had read it once he read -it again. After that he laid it down and looked out -over the woods below the railroad cut, at the foot -of the Prospect, and so to the blue expanse of Long -Island Sound. A sail boat dipped slowly along the -shore and afar out a cocky tug was leading a draggled -parade of three coal barges. Presently the -frown crept back again, and he lifted the letter, -folded it and put it back in its envelope.</p> - -<p>“Suppose I ought to answer it,” he thought, -“only, what can I say? Tell him I don’t mind what -he said, I suppose, although it happens that I do -mind. At least, I ought to. He’s a very objectionable, -soggy-minded, unclean fellow, and I don’t -want any more to do with him. Still, that doesn’t -say that he isn’t having a horribly messy time here. -Of course fellows don’t take to him. He looks dirty -and bad-tempered and he talks worse than he looks. -He doesn’t belong here. Seems to realize it, too. -Shows he has some sense, doesn’t it? Well, I didn’t -say he didn’t have sense. Trouble with him is he’s<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_53"></a>[53]</span> -been left to do as he likes too much, I guess. Bet -you I know that father of his. Severe as anything -when things go wrong, and the rest of the time -doesn’t pay any attention to the kid. He didn’t say -anything about a mother or brothers or sisters. -Probably there’s just the two of them in one of -those mean little towns where nothing ever happens -that’s worth while. Bet you there isn’t even a movie -theater there! Dad puts out the lamp at nine -o’clock and goes to bed and the kid has to go, too, -and the only way he can have any excitement is to -sneak down the rain-spout and get into mischief! -Oh, well, it’s no affair of mine. Still, I am sort of -sorry for Tubb. ‘Washtub.’ Beastly nickname! -Wonder who his adviser is. Probably hasn’t been -near him, and would only growl and be ugly if he -went. Best thing can happen to George W. Tubb is -to seek pastures new.”</p> - -<p>Toby yawned and closed his eyes. The faint -breath of cool evening air that blew in through the -open window beside him made him feel very sleepy. -He would write a couple of lines to Tibb—no, Tubb—after -supper. Tell him it’s all right, and——</p> - -<p>Toby fell asleep.</p> - -<p>Ten minutes later he dreamed that he was falling -down innumerable flights of stairs, bounding from<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_54"></a>[54]</span> -one to another with ever increasing momentum. He -didn’t seem concerned about the process of falling, -but he knew that when he reached the bottom, if he -ever did, there would be an awful smash! In case -there shouldn’t be enough left of him to groan then, -maybe he had better do it now. So he did, quite -frightfully. And opened his eyes to find Arnold -and Frank tugging at him and laughing.</p> - -<p>“Wake up, Toby! It isn’t true!”</p> - -<p>“N-no,” agreed Toby doubtfully. “But—I’m -glad you stopped me before I got to the bottom!”</p> - -<p>“Nightmare?” asked Frank. “I have it sometimes. -Get a move on. We’re going to get supper -early and beat it over to Greenburg for the first -house at the movies.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t see any use in my spending good money -to see movies,” demurred Toby, sitting up sleepily, -“when all I’ve got to do is go to sleep and have -movies of my own!”</p> - -<p>Arnold grinned. “How did practice go?” he -asked significantly.</p> - -<p>“Fine.” Toby was quite cheerful and nonchalant. -“Made me sleepy, though, I guess.”</p> - -<p>“Hope you’re not tired or lame or anything like -that? You had such a lot of fun ragging me yesterday, -you know. Too bad if <em>you</em>—er——”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_55"></a>[55]</span></p> - -<p>“Me? Oh, well, it was pretty warm, of course, -but when you’re in good hard condition——”</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter?” asked Arnold, grinning.</p> - -<p>“Matter? Why?”</p> - -<p>“I thought you made a face when you stood up. -My mistake, of course!”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know what you’re getting at,” declared -Toby with great dignity. “If you think that a little -football practice—<em>ouch! Gee!</em>” He sat down -again on the window seat and rubbed his back ruefully, -while the others laughed with wicked glee.</p> - -<p>“It won’t do, old thing! There’s no use stalling. -You’re as bad as I was yesterday, when you had the -beautiful cheek to sit there and read me a lecture on -not keeping fit! Where does it hurt worst?”</p> - -<p>“All over,” groaned Toby. “I’ll be all right after -I move around a while, though. That’s one advantage -of being in fine physical condition: you may -get a bit lame but you get right over it!”</p> - -<p>“Isn’t he the wonderful bluffer?” asked Arnold -admiringly to Frank. “Well, go ahead and move -around, old thing. It’s five minutes of, and we -want to get over there before seven.”</p> - -<p>“Tell me one thing first,” begged Toby, squirming -about from his waist up. “Do they have cushions -on the seats at the movie house?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_56"></a>[56]</span></p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, and they’ll give you a couple of pillows -at the ticket office if you ask for ’em,” answered -Frank. “Hustle now!”</p> - -<p>“What you tell me sounds perfectly beautiful,” -said Toby sadly, “but I’m afraid it isn’t true.”</p> - -<p>Thereupon Arnold thrust towel and soap into his -hands, Frank held the door open and between them -they pushed him, groaning and remonstrating, into -the corridor and headed him toward the lavatory.</p> - -<p>“It’s really an awful joke on him,” chuckled -Arnold as Toby’s lagging footsteps receded down -the hall. “He thought he was as hard as nails, and -had a fine time crowing over me yesterday. Said -it took more than sailing a boat to keep a fellow in -shape!”</p> - -<p>“I guess the only way to keep fit enough for football,” -said Frank, feelingly, “is to chop trees all -summer. I was just about all in last night. How -did you manage to persuade him to take up football, -anyway, Arn? I thought he was dead set -against it.”</p> - -<p>“So did I. <em>I</em> didn’t persuade him. I don’t know -who did—or what! He sprung it on me suddenly -yesterday. I’m glad, though. I think there’s a good -football player in Toby, Frank.”</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_57"></a>[57]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI<br /> -<small>SIGNALS</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">Although Toby was back in Whitson before -nine that evening, it is needless to say -that the note he had promised himself to -write to George Tubb did not get written. In fact -Toby forgot all about it until the next morning, -when Arnold found Tubb’s letter on the floor and -asked Toby if it was anything he wanted to keep.</p> - -<p>“No, throw it in the basket,” answered Toby. -“Hold on, though! Guess I’ll keep it. I’ve got to -answer it to-day. Stick it on the table, Arn.”</p> - -<p>Later it got buried under a book and so during -the course of a busy day or two Toby again forgot -it. He might have remembered it on Sunday, -which, as at every preparatory school in the land, -was the recognized letter-writing day of the week -at Yardley, but he didn’t. He wrote to his folks in -the afternoon until Arn, who never spent much time -on his correspondence, dragged him away to the -river and a certain shining blue canoe. Then he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_58"></a>[58]</span> -finished the epistle in the evening just before bedtime, -and retired with a fine feeling of duty performed. -Monday witnessed a change in temperature. -There was a light frost on the ground when -Toby and Arnold hurried over to chapel, and, although -the middle of the day was bright and warm, -by the time practice began on the gridirons there -was enough nip in the air to make work with the -pigskin more agreeable.</p> - -<p>Toby found himself on a squad of fellows of -much his own age and football experience—or lack -of it. It didn’t seem to him that he showed much -promise of ever being better than a dub at the -game, and while he did rather enjoy the work, he -was not vastly concerned over the prospect of being -dropped. He had been dropped very promptly last -fall, and he expected a similar fate this season. Of -course, he was heavier now than then, but he -guessed football required something more than -weight of a fellow. Sid Creel was playing center on -another squad in signal drill that Monday afternoon, -so far as Toby could discern, conducting himself -in a highly meritorious fashion. Sid had -weight and, apparently, ability, and Toby decided -that this year his good-natured perseverance was to -be rewarded.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_59"></a>[59]</span></p> - -<p>After three quarters of an hour of “baby-play” -the Second Team candidates were summoned to the -bench and Coach Burtis announced the first scrimmage. -“Who have we for center on B Team, Harris?” -he asked the trainer.</p> - -<p>“Center? Well, there’s Galvin and that tow-headed -chap over there, Coach. And Creel. Creel’s -got the build, all right. Want to try him?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. And Burnett and Hodgson for guards. -And—what’s your name, you chap?”</p> - -<p>“Thorson, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Well, Thorson, you take left tackle on B. I -want another tackle now. Who wants to play -tackle? All right, I’ll take you: the fellow in the -green sweater. Now, a couple of ends, Harris. -Yes, they’ll do. Burns at quarter. Come on, -Burns! And Folwell and——”</p> - -<p>“Nelson’s played half, Mr. Burtis,” suggested -Grover Beech.</p> - -<p>“I want him on A Team. Who else is there? -Fosdick? All right. And that fellow down there, -whatever his name is, for full-back. All right, get -out there, fellows! You referee, Harris, please. -I’ll be ump. I want all the rest of you chaps to follow -the play closely and learn all you can. We’ll -play two ten-minute periods, Harris. Team A<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_60"></a>[60]</span> -takes the ball and north goal. Now then, let’s see -what you fellows know about the game!”</p> - -<p>At first it didn’t seem that they knew very much, -for signals went wrong, fumble followed fumble -and the players became occasionally so inextricably -mixed up that scrimmage had to be halted while -they were disentangled. But Coach Burtis, alternately -umpire and critic, was possessed of a vast -patience, and toward the last of the first ten minutes -things went better. Team A worked down to -the opponent’s twelve yards and would have scored -if the line had held. But a B Team tackle trickled -through and laid White on his back before he was -well started on a wide run, and after that Frick, -quarter-back on the attacking side, missed a try-at-goal -by many yards.</p> - -<p>A five-minute rest followed, during which the -coach and the trainer and Grover Beech lectured and -criticized, and then, with many changes in each -line-up, the scrimmage began again. Toby still decorated -a bench, looking rather colorful with his red -thatch obtruding from a blue blanket. Toby had -dutifully watched the efforts of the players, but it -cannot be truthfully said that he learned much. -Perhaps he was too attentive to the performance -and fortunes of Sid Creel at center on Team B.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_61"></a>[61]</span> -Sid appeared to be playing his position rather well, -Toby thought, although he didn’t pretend to be anything -of a judge. At least, Sid lasted longer than -most fellows of his team, returning breathless to the -bench only when the last period was more than half -over. He squirmed into a place beside Toby, pulling -a blanket about his broad shoulders.</p> - -<p>“I guess he didn’t have much on me,” Sid panted, -“if he is ten pounds heavier!”</p> - -<p>“Who?” asked Toby.</p> - -<p>“Watson. He didn’t get past me once, and I -turned him twice. Did you notice?”</p> - -<p>“Who’s Watson? Their center?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. If they’d given us a couple of decent -guards we’d have put it all over that bunch. Burnett -isn’t so bad, but Hodgson laid down every time -any one looked at him! You didn’t get in, did you? -What are you trying for?”</p> - -<p>“That’s what I’ve been wondering, Sid.”</p> - -<p>“I mean what position.”</p> - -<p>“How do I know? End, I suppose. Or half. -Search me!”</p> - -<p>“Well, you’d better make up your mind. When -Coach yells for an end the next time, sing out and -race on there. That’s the only way you’ll get a -chance. Beat the other fellow to it, Toby.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_62"></a>[62]</span></p> - -<p>“I’d be afraid he’d take me,” answered Toby -dryly. “I don’t know any more about playing end -than—than you do center!”</p> - -<p>Sid grinned. “You watch me, Toby. I’m going -to fade Watson before this season’s much older, my -child. Honest, I really believe I’ve got a chance to -stick this year. Of course, it’s a bit early yet, -but——”</p> - -<p>“What’s he yelling?” interrupted Toby. Play -had paused, a youth was limping to the side-line and -Coach Burtis was shouting toward the bench.</p> - -<p>“Quarter,” said Sid. He looked left and right -along the benches. Here and there a player -squirmed indecisively but none appeared to have -enough courage to offer his services. “Guess all -the quarters are used up,” mused Sid.</p> - -<p>Trainer Harris added his voice to the coach’s. -“Aren’t there any quarter-backs over there? Get a -move on, somebody! Any of you!”</p> - -<p>“Coming!” shouted Toby, throwing aside his -blanket and jumping to his feet.</p> - -<p>“He said quarter, you idiot!” hissed Sid. “You -aren’t a quarter!”</p> - -<p>“How do you know?” laughed Toby. “<em>I</em> don’t!”</p> - -<p>“All right, this way,” greeted the Coach, as Toby -raced on. “What’s the name?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_63"></a>[63]</span></p> - -<p>“Tucker, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Ever played quarter, Tucker?”</p> - -<p>“No, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Well, then what the mischief——”</p> - -<p>“Trainer said any of us, sir.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Burtis frowned, smiled and nodded shortly. -“Go ahead then. Let’s see what you can do. Know -the signals?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir.” Toby was pretty certain that he had -forgotten them, but it wouldn’t do to say so! Turning, -he caught the amused smile of Captain Beech. -Toby dropped the lid of his left eye gravely and -stepped to position behind center.</p> - -<p>“Look what you’re doing, Tucker,” warned the -coach. “Third down and four to go.” There was -amusement in his tone and Toby flushed. Third -down and four, he thought hurriedly. That meant -that a line play wasn’t the thing. What was, then? -He hesitated and glanced doubtfully at the backs. -The trainer blew his whistle. Something had to be -done and done quickly. If B Team hadn’t been -having luck with A’s line there was no use trying to -get four yards between tackles, even on a third -down. The teams were near the middle of the field, -and A had three men back, evidently expecting an -open play. Then why not——</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_64"></a>[64]</span></p> - -<p>“14—23—8——” Toby’s voice sounded very -weak and small to Toby. “14—23——”</p> - -<p>“<em>Signals! Signals!</em>” The whole back-field was -remonstrating, it seemed! His heart sank. He had -got his signals wrong! But how? No, he was -right. It was the others who were wrong!</p> - -<p>“Signals!” he cried, scowling at the nearer of the -three backs behind him. “14—27—8—196——”</p> - -<p>The team awoke to action. Full-back dashed -headlong upon him, took the pass and went, twisting -and boring, into the mêlée. Toby threw himself -behind, triumphant. His signals <em>had</em> been right, -just as he had known! (It wasn’t until after practice -was over that he learned that he had changed -them the second time!) The play went through for -well over three yards, the unfeasible for once proving -feasible, and B Team exulted and looked approval -at Toby. Toby tried to be modest about it, -which, considering that he had called for the play -in sheer desperation, not remembering at the moment -anything else to call for, wasn’t hard! Some -one, too, had walked on his face, and that helped -him toward humility.</p> - -<p>Realizing that he had established a reputation for -generalship, Toby tried hard to live up to it, but -although B did not get the necessary eighteen<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_65"></a>[65]</span> -inches or so on the next down, the succeeding play -failed dismally and B lost nearly all she had gained. -Toby tried to assure himself that the fault was the -right half-back’s, but something told him that an -end run from balanced formation was predestined -to fail and that another time he would remember -that there was such thing as a shift! Perhaps he -would have vindicated the reputation gained from -his first lucky play if the scrimmage hadn’t ended -then and there; or perhaps he would have become -exposed for the impostor he knew himself to be. At -all events, Toby welcomed the whistle heartily.</p> - -<p>Afterwards, in the gymnasium, Grover Beech detained -him on his way from the shower. “Snappy -work, Tucker,” he said, smilingly. “Glad to see -you with us.”</p> - -<p>Toby reflected the other’s smile in somewhat -sickly fashion. “Thanks,” he answered lamely. -“Of course, I didn’t know anything about playing -quarter, Beech——”</p> - -<p>“Well, you got away with it, anyway! That’s the -main thing. And that plunge at guard when we -were looking for a pass was clever strategy.” There -was a twinkle in his eye, however. Toby’s smile -broadened.</p> - -<p>“Have a heart!” he begged. “I didn’t know<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_66"></a>[66]</span> -whether that play was going to right or left, -Beech!”</p> - -<p>“Well, I’m glad it went to the right,” laughed the -Second Team captain, “for if it had come my way -I’d have been just as unready for it as Weld was! -Going to try for quarter, Tucker?”</p> - -<p>“Gee, no! I’ve had all I want of it, thanks. I -just did it as a sort of joke. I’m no football player, -Beech, and you’ll miss my shining countenance in -a day or two.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I hope not,” answered the other. “Better -stick it out.”</p> - -<p>“And you will, if I have my say,” he added to -himself as Toby went off.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_67"></a>[67]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII<br /> -<small>TOBY MAKES A CALL</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">That evening Tubb’s letter fell to the floor -when Toby moved a book on the study -table, and Toby, with a qualm of conscience, -rescued it and re-read it, a perplexed frown -on his countenance. Then he drew a pad of paper -toward him and poised his pen above it. But that -is as far as he got. After a minute of thought he -put the pen down and resolutely, if reluctantly, -pushed back his chair. “How late is the office open, -Arn?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Eight, I think,” replied his roommate, without -raising his eyes from his work. “What’s the -matter?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing. I—just want to find out where some -one lives. Back after a bit.”</p> - -<p>Toby made his way downstairs and followed the -walk to Oxford. At the end of the corridor the -ground-glass panel marked “Office” still glowed -with light, and when Toby pushed it open, Mr.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_68"></a>[68]</span> -Forisher, the secretary, was still at work beyond -the railing. Toby made known his wants and the -secretary silently pointed with his pen toward a list -tacked to a board beside the door. The names of -the students were there, arranged alphabetically, -and Toby found the T’s and went down the list: -Tolliver, Tooker, Traine, Tubb, Tucker——</p> - -<p>“Whoa!” murmured Toby. “‘Tubb, G. W., Fremont, -N. H., 4 C., W. 31.’ What do you know? -Right over my head! That’s the room Felter and -Dunphy had last year. He and I are side by side on -the list. Hope that isn’t a what-you-call-it—omen!” -He retraced his steps to Whitson and ascended two -flights of worn stairs. The upper corridor awakened -memories, some pleasant, some otherwise. As -ever, it was but dimly lighted by a single gas-jet -near the head of the stairs, and its farther ends were -pockets of gloom. For some reason electricity as a -lighting method had never penetrated to Whitson, -although the other buildings had it. Toby glanced -toward the door of his old room ere he turned his -back to it and made his way along the rough boards -of the hall. Number 31 was on the front of the -building, about halfway between stair-well and corridor -end. It was too dark to read the single card -thumb-tacked to the portal and Toby knocked instead.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_69"></a>[69]</span> -There was a noticeable interim of silence -before a voice that was strange to the caller called -an ungracious “Come in!”</p> - -<p>Toby accepted the invitation. The only light in -the room came from the green-shaded droplight on -the littered table directly before the door, and its -radius was small, leaving most of the room in -shadow. For a moment Toby thought he had -imagined the voice and that the room was empty. -Then, however, his eyes accustoming themselves to -the gloom, he saw a blur of white and gray beyond -the table that gradually evolved into the form of -George Tubb. Tubb was minus coat and waistcoat, -and one suspender had escaped from a shoulder.</p> - -<p>“Hello,” said Toby uncertainly. There was -something in the strained silence of the room that -made him uncomfortable. “I got your note, Tubb,” -he went on awkwardly, “and I meant to answer -it——”</p> - -<p>“That’s all right,” growled Tubb. “Forget it. I -had a brain-storm.”</p> - -<p>Toby had advanced to the side of the table, and -now his host was plainly revealed. Tubb had a -towel in one hand and with it, as he spoke, he dabbed -at his face. Each time the towel came away there -was a new stain on it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_70"></a>[70]</span></p> - -<p>“Hasn’t that cut healed yet?” asked Toby in surprise.</p> - -<p>“Doesn’t look so, does it?” muttered Tubb. He -pulled the dropped suspender over his shoulder and -turned as though in search of his coat.</p> - -<p>“But——” began Toby.</p> - -<p>“It was all right till I landed on it!” interrupted -a strident voice from the other side of the room. -“I hope he bleeds to death!”</p> - -<p>Startledly, Toby swung about and peered into the -shadows. Tubb laughed mirthlessly. “That’s what -I’ve got to live with,” he announced. “Its name’s -Ramsey. Have a look at it, Tucker. Show the -gentleman your face, Percy.”</p> - -<p>“You big bully! You—you country jay! You -wait! I’ll get square, all right. You’ll have——”</p> - -<p>“What is this?” broke in Toby, disgusted and -resentful. “You fellows been scrapping?” He -stepped around to where the second occupant of the -room could be discerned beyond the confusing radiance -of the droplight. The appearance of the unhealthily-stout -youth confronting him answered the -question. Ramsey’s nose was bleeding profusely, -and an already overworked handkerchief was doing -little to disguise the fact. The boy’s face, pale save -for flaming disks of red about the cheek bones, was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_71"></a>[71]</span> -convulsed with childish, helpless passion, and his -dark eyes flashed as venomously as a snake’s.</p> - -<p>“You ought to be proud of your friend,” he exclaimed -in a voice still high and trembling with -anger. “The country jay! All he can do is call -names and—and use his fists. I’ll get even, though! -I guess the faculty will have something to say! I’ve -stood all I’m going to from the dirty-neck——”</p> - -<p>“Drop it!” shouted Tubb, springing toward him. -Toby pushed him back.</p> - -<p>“Listen, you two,” he said vehemently. “There’s -been enough of this. I don’t know what it’s all -about, but you ought both to be ashamed of yourselves. -Any one would think you were a couple of—of -gutter kids! This sort of thing doesn’t go -here, and you’d better learn that right now. Get -a towel, Ramsey, and wash your face. Best way -to stop that bleeding is to keep a cold bandage there. -You——”</p> - -<p>“No one asked your advice,” sputtered Ramsey. -“He’s broken my nose——”</p> - -<p>“I hope so,” growled Tubb. “I’d like to break -your fat neck, Percy!”</p> - -<p>“That’s what he does!” Ramsey fairly shrieked. -“You heard him! He’s always doing it! I’m going -to the Office——”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_72"></a>[72]</span></p> - -<p>“What is it he’s always doing?” asked Toby, puzzled -and impatient. Ramsey became incoherent; -but Tubb, with a laugh of derision, explained.</p> - -<p>“He doesn’t like being called Percy.”</p> - -<p>“Then why——”</p> - -<p>“Because that’s what he is, a regular Percy. -Besides, Percy isn’t any worse than Horace, and -that’s his real name!”</p> - -<p>“Yes, and you call me by it! I’d rather be named -Horace than Tubb any day! At least, I wash my -neck sometimes, and that’s more than you do, you -dirty——”</p> - -<p>“I told you to drop it,” growled Tubb, again trying -to push past Toby. “I’m as clean as you are, -you fat sissy! One more crack about my neck and -I’ll finish you for keeps!”</p> - -<p>“No, you won’t do anything of the kind,” said -Toby severely. “Stop calling each other names and -keep quiet a minute. The first thing you know -you’ll have a faculty up here! What’s the matter -with you fellows? Are you crazy?”</p> - -<p>“He’s always nagging me!” Ramsey’s wrath was -turning to grief, and there was a sob in his voice. -“He’s always calling me Percy——”</p> - -<p>“Then let me alone,” retorted Tubb. “It’s bad -enough having to room with a mother’s pet like you,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_73"></a>[73]</span> -without getting your lip all the time. I’ve warned -you fifty times, haven’t I? Tell the truth now! -Haven’t I told you over and over that I wouldn’t -stand for your sneers and your silly jokes?”</p> - -<p>“I’m not afraid of you, you big——”</p> - -<p>“Stop!” commanded Toby sternly. “I’ll take a -hand myself now, and the first one of you who calls -names will get a licking from me. I mean it. It -may not be my business, but I’m going to make it -that. Tubb, you sit down in that chair. Ramsey, -you sit in the other one.”</p> - -<p>Tubb, with a fleeting grin, obeyed unhesitatingly. -Horace Ramsey looked rebellious, muttered, -smeared his face anew with the gory handkerchief -and finally subsided. There was no lavatory on the -third floor of Whitson and the rooms up there were -supplied with washstands. Toby poured water -from pitcher to bowl and soaked a towel in it. -Silence reigned save for occasional muffled gasps -from Ramsey. Toby wrung the towel half dry.</p> - -<p>“Hold that tight to your nose, Ramsey, and keep -your head back as far as you can,” he directed. -Ramsey twitched his heavy shoulders resentfully, -but Toby tipped his chin back and planked the -folded towel over the leaking nose. “That’s it. -Hold it there with your hand. It will stop in a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_74"></a>[74]</span> -minute, I guess. Anyway, cold water will take the -soreness out.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, it will,” snuffled Ramsey. “I don’t think! -He’s broken it, I tell you! I ought to see the -doctor.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I don’t think so,” replied Toby reassuringly. -“Noses don’t break very easily. They feel broken -lots of times when they’re just bruised.”</p> - -<p>“I didn’t hit him hard enough——” began Tubb.</p> - -<p>“You did, too! You—you hammered me!”</p> - -<p>“No, I didn’t,” the other growled, “but I will the -next time!”</p> - -<p>“There isn’t going to be any next time,” said -Toby quietly. He found a chair beside one of the -beds and set it in front of the belligerents. Secretly, -he was rather amused at the rôle he had -assumed. He was no more than a year older than -Tubb, and he might be Ramsey’s senior by even -less; and he was far from certain that, should he be -required to fulfill his threat, he was much more than -a match for Tubb when it came to a fight. But he -kept his doubts to himself and viewed the two with -assurance. “Let’s get this cleared up now,” he went -on pleasantly. “You two fellows will have to room -together at least until Christmas recess, and you -might just as well make up your minds to do it<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_75"></a>[75]</span> -peacefully. What’s your objection to Tubb, Ramsey? -You shut up, Tubb: you’ll have your say in -a minute.”</p> - -<p>“He doesn’t like me,” said Ramsey, after a moment’s -hesitation, “and he’s always nagging at me. -He calls me Percy and makes fun of me because I -wear decent socks and underwear and things——”</p> - -<p>“You ought to see ’em,” muttered Tubb scathingly.</p> - -<p>“Please!” said Toby. “Ramsey’s doing the talking -now. And what else, Ramsey?”</p> - -<p>“Well, he’s—he’s always at it! It would make -any fellow mad, I guess! And he says I’m fat!”</p> - -<p>“All right. Now, Tubb, what’s your grouch?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, he makes me sick, Tucker! Look at him! -How’d you like to live with him all the time? -Looks like a fat white toad!”</p> - -<p>“I’d rather be a toad——” But Ramsey stopped -under Toby’s warning look, and subsided in -mutters.</p> - -<p>“He says I don’t wash my neck and that I’m a -country greenhorn,” resumed Tubb. “He’s one -of these Willie Boys from the city who think they -know it all. He wears lavender and old-rose socks -and the cutest little union suits you ever saw, -Tucker. And—oh, he makes me tired!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_76"></a>[76]</span></p> - -<p>“Fine!” said Toby. “Now I’ll talk.” He turned -to Ramsey. “Tubb says you’re fat, and so you are, -Ramsey. You’re disgustingly soft and fat. You -ought to be ashamed of it. If I were you I’d get rid -of twenty pounds if I had to lose sleep to do it. -Stop eating sweet stuff for a month, get outdoors -and exercise. As for lavender socks, that’s your -affair. If you don’t like being called Percy, don’t -act Percy.” He turned to Tubb. “Ramsey says -you don’t wash your neck, Tubb, and you don’t. -At least, you don’t wash it enough. It’s not clean. -I’ve noticed that myself. As for being from the -country, why, you are, aren’t you? There’s nothing -to be ashamed of in that, and if you aren’t ashamed -of it you won’t mind being reminded of it. Now -the real trouble with you two fellows is just this. -You are both of you too much concerned with yourselves. -You need to think about something else for -awhile. Neither of you has a good big interest in -life, and you need one. Know any game, Ramsey?”</p> - -<p>“Game?” repeated the boy vaguely.</p> - -<p>“Well, sport, then. Ever play football or tennis -or golf?”</p> - -<p>“I’ve played tennis,” said Ramsey uninterestedly. -“I don’t care for sports.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t need to tell me that. But wouldn’t<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_77"></a>[77]</span> -you rather play tennis or golf, or even football, than -have to take an hour in the gymnasium every day?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think so,” muttered Ramsey.</p> - -<p>“You’ll change your mind presently, then. What -about you, Tubb? You’ve played baseball, I guess.”</p> - -<p>“Sure.”</p> - -<p>“Football?”</p> - -<p>“Some.”</p> - -<p>“Good enough! I’ll get you started to-morrow. -Got any togs?”</p> - -<p>Tubb shook his head. “I didn’t bring ’em. They -weren’t—weren’t dressy enough for this dump!”</p> - -<p>“Can you afford to buy some new ones?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, if I want to.” Tubb sounded defiant.</p> - -<p>“Get some to-morrow before three, then. There -are two or three stores in Greenburg where you can -get fixed up. I’ll come up here for you at three -sharp. What hour have you got free in the morning, -Ramsey, on Tuesdays?”</p> - -<p>“Nine to ten,” replied Ramsey, after consideration.</p> - -<p>“Good! So have I. Meet me at the tennis courts -at five past nine. Got a racket?” Ramsey nodded. -“All right. That’s settled. Now I want you fellows -to promise me something.” He eyed them -both sternly. “I want you to promise me that you’ll<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_78"></a>[78]</span> -both keep silent the rest of the evening. You’re not -to speak a word, either of you, until you wake up -in the morning. That is,” he added, smiling, “after -I go. And I’m going now. Nine-five at the courts, -Ramsey. Three sharp up here, Tubb. Good-night!”</p> - -<p>A sort of dazed silence held them both until the -door was almost shut on Toby. Then:</p> - -<p>“Good-night,” stammered Ramsey, and:</p> - -<p>“Go to thunder!” growled Tubb.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_79"></a>[79]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII<br /> -<small>TUBB TRIES FOOTBALL</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">Arnold was interested and amused, but he -didn’t approve, and he said so. “You’ll -have those freaks hanging around your -neck for the rest of the year, T. Tucker,” he remonstrated. -“You can’t make over a poor thing like -this Tubb, or the other chap, from what you say of -him. What do you expect to do? Play tennis with -Rumsey——”</p> - -<p>“Ramsey,” Toby corrected meekly.</p> - -<p>“<em>Rum</em> is more like it, I guess,” accepted Arnold -grimly. “Anyhow, do you mean to take him on at -tennis every day until he loses his fat and—and -finds a soul? Besides, you can’t play tennis for -beans!”</p> - -<p>“N-no, but I dare say I’m good enough for Ramsey. -Oh, I guess I have made a <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">faux pas</i>, as we say -in French, but, hang it, Arn, you can’t see a couple -of idiots making fools of themselves——”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_80"></a>[80]</span></p> - -<p>“Idiots generally are fools, aren’t they? Look -here, Toby, something’s gone wrong with your -alleged intellect. You didn’t used to hunt trouble -like this. You were beautifully—er—what’s the -word?—beautifully aloof. Used to mind your own -business better than any chap I ever knew. Now -look at you! Going out of your way to get mixed -up with all sorts of queer fellows like this Tubb -and this other freak. Isn’t young Lingard enough -of a warning to you?”</p> - -<p>“Tommy doesn’t love me any more,” answered -Toby pathetically. “And I just must have affection, -Arn!”</p> - -<p>“Affection!” grunted his chum. “What you need -is a swift kick, my son! All right, all right, go on -with your missionary work, but don’t ask me to -help you out. And, for the love of lemons, Toby, -don’t have these weird friends of yours in here!”</p> - -<p>“Well, I shan’t encourage them to call, but, of -course, Arn, if they should——” Toby smiled innocently.</p> - -<p>“Well, if they do I’ll beat it. Now shut up and -let me study this beastly math.”</p> - -<p>But although Toby pretended to be undisturbed -by Arnold’s predictions, secretly he was regretful. -Why, he wondered, as he tried to fix his mind on<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_81"></a>[81]</span> -the subject of French nouns, had he insisted on -assuming the part of guide and mentor to those two -unpromising chaps in Number 31? Of course, -neither of them would keep the engagements he had -made for them. Things wouldn’t happen as easy as -that. Well, in that case he would have a good excuse -to drop them, he reflected. After all, it wasn’t -his business to look after their welfare. Besides, -he was going to be far too busy, what with lessons -and football, to fuss with them. Busy? Gee, he’d -say he was! He meant to go after another scholarship -this term, and that meant real work. He ought -never to have taken on football. It wasn’t worth -risking a scholarship for. No, sir, it just wasn’t! -And he’d drop it the end of the week surely—if it -didn’t drop him first!</p> - -<p>To his surprise, Ramsey was awaiting him at -the tennis courts when he reached them, a minute -or two late, the next forenoon. Ramsey was appropriately -attired in white flannels and looked less -objectionable this morning, even though his nose -was still somewhat larger than normal. He greeted -Toby rather sheepishly, as if ashamed of having -kept the appointment. But Toby pretended that -there was nothing unusual in the situation, and -greeted Ramsey cheerily. Perhaps he was a little<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_82"></a>[82]</span> -bit disappointed at finding the other there, though. -If he was we can scarcely blame him.</p> - -<p>Ramsey proved to be a better player than Toby -had anticipated. He had a puzzling service and a -good back-hand stroke, and was rather crafty at -placing. In short, if Ramsey had had half as much -speed as science he would have run away with the -first set. As it was, Toby finally captured it, 7 to 5. -Ramsey wasn’t enthusiastic about a second set, but -Toby refused to heed his reluctance and they went -at it again. Now, however, Ramsey’s skill was -more than offset by weariness, and Toby did pretty -much as he liked with his opponent. He might -have secured the victory very easily, but he purposely -allowed Ramsey to take the fourth and sixth -games, determined that the latter’s first dose should -be a strong one. The morning was sufficiently -warm to put even Toby in a perspiration, and Ramsey -literally oozed moisture. The second set went -as far as 4 to 2 and then recitations called them -back to Oxford. There had been little conversation -during the playing, but returning up the hill Ramsey -became rather communicative.</p> - -<p>“I guess I could beat you, Tucker,” he said, -mopping his flushed face with a sodden handkerchief, -“if I wasn’t so out of practice. I haven’t<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_83"></a>[83]</span> -played much for a couple of years. My heart -isn’t very strong, you see, and my mother doesn’t -like me to do much of it. In fact, one set at a -time is my usual limit.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, you’d beat me easily if you weighed fifteen -pounds less,” agreed Toby. “Who told you your -heart isn’t strong?”</p> - -<p>“Why, I don’t know,” replied the other vaguely. -“It’s always been that way, ever since I was a kid. -Mother says I had scarlet fever or something when -I was five or six, and that sort of weakened it. I -dare say it isn’t really dangerous, you know, but -you can’t help thinking about it sometimes. I get -tired very easily. It was about all I could do to -keep on my feet toward the last, back there. My -breath gives out and my heart gets to pounding -horribly. I’m strong enough other ways, though.”</p> - -<p>Toby surveyed him gravely. “You would be if -you took care of yourself,” he said. “If you didn’t -eat too much and took plenty of exercise you’d do, -I guess. You’re as soft as a lump of dough now, -though,” he added unfeelingly. “How much do -you weigh?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know. I haven’t been weighed for a -long time.” Ramsey’s tone was aggrieved.</p> - -<p>“Run into the gym the first chance you get and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_84"></a>[84]</span> -find out. And make a note of it, Ramsey. Well, -see you again. I enjoyed playing. Maybe we can -have another game some day.” He was purposely -careless and vague, and found his reward in the -flicker of disappointment in Ramsey’s eyes.</p> - -<p>“I’d like it, too,” murmured the boy. “I suppose -you’re pretty busy, though.”</p> - -<p>“Fairly, yes. I tell you what, I’ll drop around -some evening and we’ll compare schedules. Maybe -we can get in an hour now and then in the mornings. -If I were you, though, Ramsey, I’d try to -find some fellow to play with meanwhile. Take -your racket down to the court in the afternoon and -hang around. You can generally run across some -one looking for a game. So long!”</p> - -<p>They parted in the corridor and Toby, hurrying -along the west hall, told himself that perhaps, after -all, Horace Ramsey was worth troubling about. -Anyway, no harm had been done, and if Ramsey -did take up tennis again positive good would result. -All the boy needed was to get rid of a lot of fat by -healthful exercise and wise eating. “Got to get -that bum heart notion out of his head, though,” -Toby added. “Probably got as good a heart as I -have, or any other chap. Fine scheme to bring a -boy up with the idea that he can’t play tennis or<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_85"></a>[85]</span> -take exercise because his heart is weak! Swell way -to strengthen it, loafing around and eating everything -that’s rich and soggy! Of course, he may have -something wrong with it; it’s possible; but I don’t -believe it. I’ll get him to go to Mr. Bendix and -see what he says.”</p> - -<p>At three o’clock Toby rapped on the portal of -Number 31 according to agreement. Tubb bade -him enter. Tubb was not, as Toby observed, ready -for football. In fact, Tubb didn’t look to be ready -for anything but to make himself disagreeable. -Ramsey was not there.</p> - -<p>“Thought you were going to be all ready,” announced -Toby as he closed the door behind him. -“Get a move on, Tubb, it’s three now. Where are -your togs?”</p> - -<p>“I didn’t get any,” answered the other defiantly.</p> - -<p>“Why not? Didn’t they have them? Did you -try——”</p> - -<p>“Oh, what’s the use? I’m not going out for football. -What chance would I have? I don’t know -any one and I haven’t any pull. And I ain’t much -good at it, anyway.”</p> - -<p>“You can learn, can’t you? There isn’t time to -argue about it, Tubb. You can get your togs to-morrow. -I’ll get you fixed out all right for to-day.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_86"></a>[86]</span> -I’ve got an old pair of pants in my locker, and we -can borrow shoes. You’ve got an old sweater, -haven’t you?”</p> - -<p>“I’ve changed my mind,” growled Tubb stubbornly.</p> - -<p>“I haven’t,” replied Toby pleasantly. “Come on -now! We’ve got to hustle! I told them I was going -to bring you, and they’ll be disappointed if I -don’t.”</p> - -<p>Tubb inelegantly expressed unbelief. “Told -who?” he demanded.</p> - -<p>“Never mind who,” said Toby, “you come on -and see.” To be very truthful, Toby had quite -casually mentioned to Grover Beech at noon that -he was bringing another Second Team candidate -out with him in the afternoon, and Beech had -nodded approvingly, but that Beech would be disappointed -was somewhat problematical.</p> - -<p>“Well,” said Tubb, “I can’t go to-day. Maybe -to-morrow——”</p> - -<p>Toby stepped forward and to Tubb’s vast surprise -pulled the latter swiftly to his feet. “Where’s -that sweater?” he demanded. Tubb blinked, his -mouth open for words that didn’t come. “Which -is your closet?” continued Toby quickly. Tubb’s -eyes shifted to the left and Toby pulled open a door,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_87"></a>[87]</span> -fumbled through the few garments hanging beyond -it and pulled out a faded brown coat-sweater. “This -isn’t the kind you want, but it’ll have to do,” he said -briskly. He tossed it over his arm and threw back -the door into the corridor. “All right! Beat it!”</p> - -<p>Tubb’s face expressed a queer mingling of resentment -and relief. But even yet he managed to -find objections. “Oh, what’s the good?” he growled. -“I don’t want to play football, anyway. I don’t -want——”</p> - -<p>What he didn’t want was quickly changed to -what he did want, for he found himself suddenly -outside in the corridor, the door closed behind him -and Toby’s firm, impelling clutch on his neck. -“Wait! I want my hat!” he begged.</p> - -<p>“You don’t need a hat,” was the inexorable answer. -“Go on! I tell you it’s getting late, and -we’ve got to change yet. Hustle, G. W. Tubb!”</p> - -<p>Somewhat to Toby’s surprise, Tubb hustled. He -tried to make a pretense of hanging back, but he -nevertheless covered the ground between dormitory -and gymnasium in very good time. The locker-room -in the basement was fairly packed with First -and Second Team candidates, and Toby was aware -of an occasional curious glance, but for the most -part the occupants of the room were too busy to pay<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_88"></a>[88]</span> -attention to him or his charge. He found the old -football trousers, borrowed a pair of shoes from -one neighbor and stockings from a second, and -presently Tubb, presenting a rather dilapidated appearance, -was attired for business. He nevertheless -looked, Toby thought, a bit more presentable -in the battle-scarred togs than in the shapeless and -wrinkled clothes he had removed. During the operation -of dressing Tubb grumbled and sneered continuously, -but he was no longer fooling Toby. It -was plain to be seen that Tubb was really quite as -anxious to get to the field as Toby was to have him!</p> - -<p>Several other newcomers reported that afternoon, -and so Tubb was not alone as a tyro. Toby haled -him at once to Sam Wansworth, the manager, and -Tubb replied grumpily to the few stereotyped questions -asked. Then practice was started and the two -parted, Toby joining his usual squad and Tubb the -bunch of latest recruits. It was an afternoon of -good football weather, bright and crisp, with a -straight breeze blowing down the field from the -marshes across the glistening river. Beyond, on -the First Team gridiron, a half-dozen punters and -drop-kickers were busy in front of the north goal, -and the pigskins arose and fell against the blue distance. -Just above the boathouse the single occupant<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_89"></a>[89]</span> -of a bright yellow canoe was struggling gamely -against wind and tide, the sunlight flashing on the -dripping paddle.</p> - -<p>Twenty minutes of passing and starting, and then -Toby’s squad was trotted over to the tackling dummies -and he had his first clutch at the moving, swaying -canvas effigy. That his first clutch wasn’t a -firm one is easily understood by those who have -been through his experience. “Gyp” Harris was -in charge, and Gyp wasn’t one to be easily satisfied. -Working the rope that sent the dummy rattling -along the cable between the posts with one hand, he -used the other to point and gesticulate. Toby -thought he had never seen any one more eloquent -with one hand than the trainer! Not, however, -that Gyp was dumb, or even tongue-tied. On the -contrary, he had a strong voice and an effective -vocabulary, and he kept both busy in a sort of sing-song -fashion.</p> - -<p>“Next man! Feet together! Let ’er go! Off -on the left! Get him! Hold him! Pull him down! -Rotten, perfectly rotten! You tackled too high -again! Next man!...”</p> - -<p>Occasionally there was pause while Gyp left the -pulley and strode over to the head of the line and -gave an illustration or criticized with ample detail<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_90"></a>[90]</span> -some glaringly unfortunate attempt. “What have -I told you about getting your body in front of the -dummy, Bowen? Can’t you understand that when -you tackle a runner from behind he’s going to drag -you a way before you can stop him? Get in front -of him so that your body blocks him. A man can’t -push with his legs below the knees when he’s on his -feet. Of course, you’re supposed to get to him hard -enough to put him off his feet. But if he has slowed -up to meet you your game is to lift him and throw -him back toward his own goal. You can’t do that -if you’re behind him because he will throw his -weight forward. Get your body in front, lock his -knees and lift. And don’t land on your stomach -when you dive, Bowen. Land on your hip. See if -you can’t get it right the next time.”</p> - -<p>Toby came to the conclusion that he was more -than ordinarily stupid, but it is probable that he -did as well as any of the others that first day. Presently -they were dismissed, though not with the -trainer’s blessing, and another squad took their -place. Coach Burtis and Captain Beech had formed -a tentative team of the more experienced or more -likely candidates, and these were trotting around -the field in signal work with Frick at quarter-back. -Toby and three other fellows were sent across to the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_91"></a>[91]</span> -further side of the gridiron to catch punts, or, failing -the catch, to recover them as best they could. -At that game Toby found himself rather clever. He -seemed able to judge the wobbling, descending balls -with more certainty than his companions and to -hold them better when they reached him. Having -got a ball, he trotted back part way across and -threw it the rest of the distance. He would have -liked to punt it, but this was forbidden.</p> - -<p>Still later, he was set to taking snap-backs and -passes from Watson, one of the candidates for -center. He gathered that Watson had shown himself -deficient in that branch of his play. It wasn’t -very interesting work, for Watson was earnest and -determined and erratic, and Toby spent half of his -time chasing around after the pigskin. Once, taking -passes from a distance of five yards and at an angle, -or trying to, he became aware that some one was -looking on and turned to discover Coach Burtis -behind him. The coach nodded encouragingly. -“Not bad, Tucker. Try to be a little more shifty -on your feet, though. Keep on your toes, ready to -go in any direction. In play it’s rather disastrous -to let the ball get past you, you know.”</p> - -<p>He went on, leaving Toby surprised and gratified -that he had remembered his name.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_92"></a>[92]</span></p> - -<p>There was no scrimmage to-day, and practice -ended with a two-lap trot around the gridiron and -then up to the gymnasium, where most of them arrived -very much out of breath. During practice -Toby had caught an occasional glimpse of Tubb -looking harassed and mutinous, but it wasn’t until -they met in the locker-room that Toby had an opportunity -to speak to him. Tubb sank onto the -bench with a grunt of weariness and disgust and -savagely attacked the laces of his borrowed shoes. -Toby, hiding a grin, asked pleasantly:</p> - -<p>“Well, how did it go, Tubb?”</p> - -<p>“Rotten! There’s no sense to that sort of stuff. -I thought I was going to play football, not bean-bag!”</p> - -<p>“It is rather tiresome at first,” said Toby, “but -you’ll soon be through with that. To-morrow——”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I’m through with it right now,” growled -Tubb. “I’ve had all I want, thanks, Tucker.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, piffle, Tubb! You’re not going to quit like -that!”</p> - -<p>“Ain’t I? You watch me!” replied the other -grimly.</p> - -<p>“Better give it a fair trial. After all, there’s a -certain amount of drudgery to be gone through<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_93"></a>[93]</span> -with, no matter what you take up. Learning to -handle the ball is quite necessary, Tubb.”</p> - -<p>“A whole afternoon of it isn’t necessary, I guess. -Anyway, I’m through.” Tubb kicked the shoes -aside scowlingly. “I knew how it would be. A few -fellows get all the pickings and the others play the -goat. All you’ll get out of it, Tucker, is a lot of -hard work, and then they’ll give you the bounce.”</p> - -<p>“What of it if I have a good time before they -do?” asked Toby cheerfully.</p> - -<p>“A good time!” sneered the other.</p> - -<p>“Sure. Come on and have a shower and you’ll -feel better, Tubb.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t want any shower,” muttered Tubb.</p> - -<p>“Well, I do. As a favor to me, I wish you’d -keep on for the rest of this week, Tubb.” Toby -spoke earnestly and smiled. Tubb caught the smile. -After a moment he growled hesitantly:</p> - -<p>“Oh, well—I’ll see.”</p> - -<p>“Thanks. That’s a promise!”</p> - -<p>“’Tain’t either! I didn’t say——”</p> - -<p>But Toby was off and Tubb’s protest went unfinished.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_94"></a>[94]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX<br /> -<small>YARDLEY PLAYS GREENBURG</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">Two mornings later Toby again played -tennis with Horace Ramsey. This time -Horace captured the first set, mainly on -his serve, and made Toby work hard to keep ahead -in the second. Horace had followed Toby’s advice -and had sought and found an opponent the day -before, and he was fast reviving his enthusiasm for -the game. Although it was perhaps only imagination, -Toby thought that the younger boy already -showed evidences of benefit from the exercise. To-day -he made Horace promise to have Mr. Bendix, -the physical director, give him a thorough examination, -and on Saturday Horace reported the result -of it.</p> - -<p>“I suppose he knows,” said Horace dubiously, -“but it’s funny he didn’t say anything about my -heart until I asked him.”</p> - -<p>“What did he say then?” inquired Toby.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_95"></a>[95]</span></p> - -<p>“Well, he said there was nothing the matter with -it.” Horace was evidently thoroughly puzzled. “He -said it was just as good as his. Maybe he didn’t -want to frighten me, though. Do you think that’s -it, Tucker?”</p> - -<p>“No, I don’t,” replied Toby bluntly. “I think -he told the truth. If there ever was anything wrong -with your heart you’ve outgrown it, Ramsey. Don’t -worry about his trying to let you down easy. He -wouldn’t. I know that he’s mighty careful about -weak hearts. He’s kept lots of fellows out of track -work and baseball just because of that trouble. No, -sir, Ramsey, if ‘Muscles’ says your heart is all right, -you may depend upon it that it is all right. How -about your weight? Dropped any yet?”</p> - -<p>Horace’s brow cleared magically. “Haven’t I?” -he exclaimed. “Two and a quarter pounds since I -weighed Tuesday! How’s that?”</p> - -<p>“Fine—for a start,” answered Toby. “Keep it -up. You’ve only begun!”</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Tubb had kept on at football, although -under constant protest. He had bought -himself togs, and very good ones they were; a fact -which led Toby to hope and believe that, in spite -of his growls, Tubb really meant to keep on. Whenever -they met, however, Tubb wearied Toby sadly<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_96"></a>[96]</span> -with his grouches. He insisted on holding Toby -responsible for every bruise and every tired muscle. -While he didn’t say it in so many words, he made -Toby understand that he had remained in the Second -Team squad merely to oblige the other. A -martyr is bad enough to have to listen to, but when -the martyr has a grouch he is even more irritating. -There were times when Toby would have given -much for the privilege of kicking Tubb. But he -didn’t. He didn’t even tell him to dry up and blow -away. He kept his temper and listened to the boy’s -growls without a murmur. Naturally, he didn’t -seek Tubb’s society. In fact, whenever he could -do so without having it seem too apparent, he -avoided the pale-faced youth as he would have -avoided any other pest.</p> - -<p>By that Saturday, however, the word pale-faced -no longer applied to Tubb as it had a week before. -Four very warm days such as frequently visit Connecticut -around the first of October had brushed -Tubb’s cheeks with red and set his nose to peeling. -Perhaps the change hadn’t benefited the lad’s appearance -much, but Toby noted it hopefully. Toby -himself had added another shade of brown to a -complexion already well sunburned by a summer -spent largely on the water, and his blue eyes looked<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_97"></a>[97]</span> -lighter than ever in comparison with the surrounding -territory of mahogany hue.</p> - -<p>Something quite unlooked for and, to Toby, extremely -disconcerting had happened the middle of -that week. On Wednesday there had been a summons -to quarter-back candidates to the lower end -of the field for punting practice. Toby had remained -serenely unaffected on the bench, whither he -had retired after a strenuous bout with the tackling -dummy, until he had been awakened by the challenge -of Coach Burtis.</p> - -<p>“Where are you, Tucker? Didn’t you hear the -call?” Mr. Burtis was a trifle incisive as to voice, -for prompt obedience was something he insisted on. -Toby, alarmed, jumped to his feet and looked wildly -about him.</p> - -<p>“N-no, sir! What—where——”</p> - -<p>“Well, hurry up.” The coach waved a hand toward -the north goal. “Quarter-backs down there -for punting.”</p> - -<p>Toby stared, opened his mouth, closed it, stood -irresolute until Mr. Burtis asked sharply: “Well, -what’s wrong? You’re trying for quarter, aren’t -you?”</p> - -<p>“N-n——” Toby gulped hard. “Yes, sir!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_98"></a>[98]</span></p> - -<p>“Well, get busy then! Want me to lead you by -the hand?”</p> - -<p>Toby found his feet and hurried away, pursued -by the laughter of the others along the bench.</p> - -<p>“So I’m a quarter-back, am I?” he asked himself -bewilderedly as he ran. “Gee, that’s a new one on -me! Well, it’s fine to know what you are, even if -you know you aren’t! I guess he will change his -mind after he’s seen me try it!”</p> - -<p>There were four other fellows there when he -reached the scene: Frick, Stair, Rawson, and Bird. -Stillwell was coaching. Toby knew very little about -punting as a science, although he could kick a football -for varying distances from five yards to thirty—if -he didn’t miss it altogether! There was very -little actual punting that day, for Stillwell had a lot -to say on the theory of it, and for the most part -the pupils practiced holding the ball and dropping -it, standing and stepping forward and swinging the -leg. At the end Stillwell let them try a few punts, -and Toby, for his part, hoped that Coach Burtis -wasn’t watching! That evening he had a brand-new -lot of aches situate in the right hip and down -the right leg. “Stillwell,” he confided ruefully to -Arnold, “thought he was coaching a bunch of ballet -dancers. He was never happy unless we were<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_99"></a>[99]</span> -standing on the left foot and pointing the right toe -straight at the zenith, whatever the zenith is! I -don’t feel happy on both feet, Arn. Mind if I tuck -one over the transom?”</p> - -<p>“You’re mighty lucky to get a chance at quarter,” -answered his chum severely. “Don’t you know -that?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes,” said Toby, “I’m painfully aware of -it!”</p> - -<p>By Saturday he had forgotten his aches and the -lameness was gone and he could toe the pigskin -in a fairly creditable manner and for decent distances, -so long as direction was not important. But -when he was told to place a punt near the right -side line about thirty yards distant, either he sent it -toward the left side line or down the middle of -the field. Or if by any possible chance he -got the direction right, then the ball went fifteen -yards instead of thirty. There was, he -allowed, a lot more to punting than he had -suspected. Of course, life wasn’t all swinging a -scuffed shoe against a stained and battered football -those days. There was signal work, too. And -some experimenting in forward passing. And other -things. And Toby frequently regretted the fact -that he had not dared to tell Coach Burtis the truth<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_100"></a>[100]</span> -when he had been accused of quarter-back aspirations. -Still, when things weren’t at their worst, -he enjoyed it. No one took him seriously as a -quarter, not even Grover Beech; and when scrimmaging -began Frick and Rawson and Stair had the -call over him. Only once that week had Toby -worked at quarter, and then for only a matter of -five minutes or so on B Squad. For many days -he disliked to recall the event, for he had dared a -quarter-back run and Farquhar, an opposing tackle, -had chased him back and back until, in sheer fear of -being forced over his own goal line, he had toppled -to earth, snuggling the ball, a good fifteen yards -back of where he had started from! It was a very -sheepish Toby who scrambled to his feet again, for -there was a ripple of laughter from the bench and -many amused faces about him. For the few remaining -moments of play he was too wretched to be -of much use. Fortunately for him, perhaps, A -Squad had the ball and Toby was able to retire -up-field and nurse his wounded feelings in solitude. -Afterwards he reached the pleasing conclusion that -he was not necessarily dishonored for life, but it -was some time before he cared to recall the incident.</p> - -<p>On Saturday practice was over early in order that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_101"></a>[101]</span> -the Second might profit by watching the First Team -play Greenburg High School. High School wasn’t -a formidable opponent even for a first game of -the season. Yardley had started her schedule with -High School for many years, generally winning by -a comfortable margin of points. The contest served -to try out a large number of players, and it was -usually on the Monday following the Greenburg -game that the first cut in the squad was made. In -consequence to-day’s battle meant a good deal to -some candidates who felt their positions to be none -too secure, and there were many anxious faces -amongst the substitutes who graced the bench after -the game had started.</p> - -<p>Toby and the rest of the Second Team fellows -didn’t reach the scene until the second period had -begun. Then they perched themselves, still wrapped -in their blankets like so many Indians, in the nearer -corner of the old stand and proceeded to be extremely -critical. Sid Creel squeezed into a place -beside Toby with a huge sigh of enjoyment. “Nothing -to do but watch a lot of poor boobs work themselves -deaf, dumb, and blind,” he said with relish. -“Who’s at center for them, Toby?”</p> - -<p>“Simpson.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_102"></a>[102]</span></p> - -<p>“Well, he’s the best they’ve got, to my thinking. -He’s light, though.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, well, his weight’s where it ought to be, -Sid.”</p> - -<p>“Meaning?”</p> - -<p>“He’s got brains. So many centers haven’t, you -know.”</p> - -<p>“Huh? ’S at so? Well, let me inform you—Oh, -good work, Phil! How’s that for a neat little -canter, Toby? More than twenty yards! What’s -eating that referee? Oh, my word! Offside—no, -holding! I didn’t see any holding, did you? That -referee’s crazy!”</p> - -<p>“No, I didn’t see any holding unless you call it -holding to nearly pull a fellow’s arm off him!”</p> - -<p>“Who did that?”</p> - -<p>“Ted Halliday.”</p> - -<p>“Idiot! Look what it’s cost them! Say, is Deering -playing?”</p> - -<p>“No, that’s Bates at right half. And Roover at -left. Arn will get in, of course. Maybe he’s been -in. Mr. Lyle will use about every fellow he’s got -to-day, I suppose.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, he’ll use a lot to-day and lose a lot to-morrow -or Monday. Look at that line of victims<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_103"></a>[103]</span> -over there. A good third of them will be missing -next week.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, and some of them will be playing on the -Second, Sid. I wouldn’t wonder if we got a good -center pretty soon.”</p> - -<p>“Soon! we’ve got one right now. I don’t want to -seem boastful, but—Gee, what a rotten punt! Who -was that? Snowden, eh? Well, Larry wants to -do better than that or he will lose his job! Gee, I -could kick a ball farther than that myself!”</p> - -<p>Followed a Greenburg fumble, a quick recovery -for a loss and a weird attempt at an end run almost -under High School’s goal. Then a kick on second -down and the ball floated into the waiting arms of -Will Curran, the Yardley quarter, just past the -center of the field. Curran was still the old Curran, -it seemed, for he was off like a shot, side-stepped -an adversary, broke through the nearer field -of mingled friend and foe, and was off on a long, -straight dash for the Greenburg goal. Toby and -Sid cheered prodigiously as Curran fooled the anxious -quarter and romped over the last white line -between the posts. Snowden missed the goal and -the figures on the score-board stood 11 to 0. The -half ended a moment later and the big squad of -blue-legged players trailed off to the gymnasium.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_104"></a>[104]</span> -Sid ambled off to find some fellow who had borrowed -a dollar from him last spring, his round -face set in determined lines, and a moment later -George Tubb took the vacant place at Toby’s side.</p> - -<p>“Pretty punk game, isn’t it?” he said.</p> - -<p>Toby concealed his displeasure as best he could. -“Well, it’s the first one, you know. Can’t expect -much of a first game. How did you get on to-day?”</p> - -<p>“Pretty good.” Toby was actually startled. -Never before had he heard Tubb approach so close -to enthusiasm! Even the rest of his response -couldn’t altogether spoil the first part. “I’m through -to-day, though. I only agreed to keep on for the -week, you know. Well, here’s your fat friend coming -back, and I’ll beat it. So long, Tucker.”</p> - -<p>“So long,” answered Toby. To himself he added -viciously, “I’d like to punch your silly head!”</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_105"></a>[105]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X<br /> -<small>TOBY EMPTIES HIS LOCKER</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">“The cheek of him!” exclaimed Sid, seating -himself. “What do you think he asked -me to do?”</p> - -<p>“Go away?” hazarded Toby.</p> - -<p>“Asked me to lend him another half! Said he’d -pay it all back next Wednesday, when he gets his -allowance. What do you know about that? That -fellow’s got the makings of a financier!”</p> - -<p>“Or a grafter,” laughed Toby. Sid shook his -head.</p> - -<p>“No, his method is too high-class. He will be a -J. Pierpont Rockefeller at thirty. Well, anyway, I -told him what I thought of him.”</p> - -<p>“Then you didn’t get your dollar, eh? Look here, -if you’re hard-up, Sid, I can lend you——”</p> - -<p>“No, thanks. I’m all right. I don’t need that -dollar just now, but he’s been owing it since three -days before the end of last term, and I thought it<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_106"></a>[106]</span> -was time he paid it. That was all. Maybe he will -on Wednesday. If he doesn’t I’ll land on his neck! -Not that I care so much about the dollar and a half, -but it’s the principle of the——”</p> - -<p>“Dollar, you mean, don’t you?”</p> - -<p>“Dollar? Dollar and a half. He owed me a dollar -before.”</p> - -<p>“Do you mean that you lent him the half?” exclaimed -Toby incredulously. Sid looked surprised.</p> - -<p>“I told you, didn’t I? That’s what I was kicking -about.”</p> - -<p>“But—but you didn’t have to lend him any more, -did you?”</p> - -<p>“Have to? N-no, I didn’t <em>have</em> to, but what are -you going to do when a fellow comes at you like -that? Oh, he will come across some day. I’m not -worrying.”</p> - -<p>Toby laughed. “You’re easy, Sid,” he said. “I -suppose next Wednesday he will borrow another -fifty cents from you! If fellows were all like you -I could be a Rockefeller myself! Here they come!”</p> - -<p>Yardley managed to chalk up twelve more points -in the last two periods and to keep Greenburg High -from scoring. Greenburg weakened badly toward -the last, although, like her opponent, she made constant -changes in her line-up. During the final period<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_107"></a>[107]</span> -there were moments when the stream of incoming -substitutes from the Yardley bench was almost unbroken. -Mr. Lyle used three full elevens that afternoon, -and then threw in a couple more players just -for good measure. There were occasional flashes -of brilliancy on the part of the Blue, but for the -most part the contest was uninteresting and the -playing ragged. Greenburg certainly deserved to -lose, but it is doubtful if Yardley deserved to win. -However, no one expected much from the team in -that game, and no one was very critical.</p> - -<p>That evening, alone for awhile in Number 12, -Arnold had gone to a lecture in Assembly Hall,—Toby -forced himself to face a decision regarding -football. Earlier in the week he had promised himself -to quit to-day, but now he discovered that he -didn’t want to quit. This quarter-back business -was mighty interesting, he acknowledged. Not that -he supposed for a minute that he would make good -on the job: he would never get so that he could -rival Frick; never, perhaps, equal Rawson; but a -fellow needed some sort of exercise and football -provided it. It was really his duty to keep himself -in training for hockey.</p> - -<p>On the other hand, Latin was proving quite as -difficult as he had predicted, and one or two other<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_108"></a>[108]</span> -courses promised to claim lots of his time. If he -really meant to win a scholarship next term he -couldn’t afford too many distractions. It was easy -enough to say that football work need not interfere -with studies, but football work had a way of doing -that very thing. It wasn’t so much the time spent in -actual practice or play that counted as it was the -time a fellow gave to thinking about football. The -sport had a way of seizing a fellow’s interest to the -exclusion of all else. And toward the end of the -season, as the Big Game loomed near, it was just -about as easy for a football player to give serious -attention to his studies as it was for a boy with a -new red sled to display enthusiasm for the woodpile! -Toby had learned this solely from observation, but -he knew it was so.</p> - -<p>Toby’s father was a boat-builder, and while the -past season had seen a remarkable revival of the -business, yet there were four of them in the family, -and while business had increased so had living costs. -It behooved Toby to get through the year as economically -as possible, and a scholarship award of -perhaps eighty dollars would make a big difference. -He must do his level best to secure that. That decided, -had he the right to give the necessary time -to football? Especially as, after the Christmas recess,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_109"></a>[109]</span> -hockey would claim him. If it came to choosing -between the two, he would choose hockey. -Hockey was Toby’s game. He had proved himself -in that. In football he might never become more -than a second-rate player, or even a third. If he -resolutely gave up football this minute and worked -hard at his studies until Christmas, he wouldn’t -have to worry about the time he gave to hockey. -Hockey didn’t make the demands that football did, -anyway. Well, then——</p> - -<p>Toby frowned and thought, and made up his -mind and unmade it several times, during the succeeding -hour. Then Arnold came bustling in and -what his final decision was Toby never knew. But -when he awoke Sunday morning he discovered that -his mind had attended to the matter by itself while -he slept, and in the afternoon, returning from a -walk with Arnold and Frank along the river, he -excused himself and ran into the gymnasium and -down to the locker-room. When he overtook his -companions he carried an armful of football togs.</p> - -<p>“What—what——” exclaimed Arnold.</p> - -<p>“I’ve decided not to play football, after all,” explained -Toby calmly, “so I thought I might as well -clear out my locker to-day. There aren’t enough -of them to go around, you know.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_110"></a>[110]</span></p> - -<p>“Oh, you make me tired!” wailed Arnold. “I -thought that was all settled.”</p> - -<p>“It is, now,” responded Toby cheerfully.</p> - -<p>“But why?” demanded Arnold impatiently.</p> - -<p>Toby explained, but Arnold refused to be satisfied. -Somewhat to Toby’s relief, Frank interrupted -soothingly. “Let him alone, Arn. I guess he’s -right about it. It isn’t as if—well, what I mean is, -he’s not absolutely necessary, you know. It isn’t -as if he was on the First Team. The Second’s got -plenty of material, and Toby’s not fooling himself -into thinking he’s a wonderful player. They’ll -worry along without him. No use spoiling a good -hockey man to make a—a——”</p> - -<p>“Punk football man,” supplied Toby pleasantly. -“You aren’t flattering, Frank, but I guess you’re -right.”</p> - -<p>“No, he isn’t, he’s dead wrong,” said Arnold -vehemently. “You could be a rattling good football -player, Toby, a corking one! I know it! And -now you’re queering everything. You make me -sick. If you don’t dump those things back in that -locker the first thing to-morrow morning I’ll—I’ll -never forgive you, Toby!”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, you will,” said Toby. “You’re quite -wrong about me as a football player, Arn. I’m<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_111"></a>[111]</span> -pretty sure of that. Anyway, as Frank says, they -don’t need me, and I do need that scholarship.”</p> - -<p>“I hope you choke on it,” growled Arnold disgustedly, -and relapsed into aggrieved silence.</p> - -<p>But in spite of the certainty that he had decided -wisely and rightly, Toby felt a trifle dissatisfied the -next afternoon, and somewhat at a loose end. He -determined to devote the first hour and a half after -his final recitation to hard study, telling himself -that he would have the room to himself and that -Whitson would be delightfully quiet and conducive -to work. Afterwards he would walk over and -watch First Team practice for awhile. But, although -he found the quietude and solitude he expected, -it wasn’t so easy to put his mind on his -books. The sunlit world outside called loudly, he -couldn’t get comfortable in the chair and, in spite -of good intentions, his mind insisted on wandering -toward the gridiron. But he stuck it out to the -prescribed moment and then fairly ran downstairs -and into the late afternoon sunshine, uncomfortably -conscious that he had spent an hour and a half -to no purpose. Still, to-morrow he would do better, -he promised. By the time he had seated himself in -the grandstand, watching the First Team in a -spirited practice game, he had recovered his spirits.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_112"></a>[112]</span> -On the further gridiron the Second was hard at it, -but Toby decided to stay away from that quarter -to-day. Grover Beech might say unpleasant things -about “quitters,” and while Toby’s conscience was -quite clear, he realized that the Second Team captain -would have his own point of view. But although -he managed to evade Beech for the time, a -meeting was inevitable, and it occurred after supper -that evening. They both left their tables at -the same moment and came together at the door. -Beech looked a trifle huffy.</p> - -<p>“What’s the stupendous idea, Tucker?” he demanded. -“You know we practice on Mondays just -like any other day.”</p> - -<p>“Why, I—Didn’t Gyp tell you?”</p> - -<p>“Gyp? Yes, he said something about your not -reporting to-day, but that didn’t mean anything to -me. What’s the scheme, old man?”</p> - -<p>Toby explained, not very eloquently because -Beech’s expression became momentarily more and -more disapproving. Once or twice the captain -uttered a dry “Huh!” or gestured impatience, but -he heard Toby through. Then, however, he broke -out with force and emphasis. Toby, backed up -against the long hatrack, was aware of the curious -looks bent on him by those who passed, and even<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_113"></a>[113]</span> -read sympathy in some glances. Doubtless Beech’s -attitude looked rather threatening!</p> - -<p>“You poor fish!” said the captain pityingly. -“Hasn’t any one ever told you about duty? What -do you think you are, anyway? A—a real, sure-enough -Person? You’re not, Tucker my lad, you’re -just a simple little cog in the Wheel of Progress. -You’re not at all important as an individual. You’re -merely an entity. Now——”</p> - -<p>“Hold on! I’m not sure I ought to let you call -me that!”</p> - -<p>“Shut up! I’ll call you worse in a minute, maybe -a microbe or a protoplasm. Look here, Tucker, -joking aside, you can’t do this, you know. Every -fellow has a duty to the School——”</p> - -<p>“I know, and every fellow has a duty to himself, -Beech. I need that scholarship——”</p> - -<p>“Get it! I’m not objecting, my son! But don’t -throw the team down to do it. Shucks, you can -play football for a month or six weeks longer without -losing the scholarship! Come on, Tucker, don’t -be a worm!”</p> - -<p>“But—but what difference does it make?” -pleaded Toby. “I’m no football wonder. You’ve -got half a dozen fellows to fill in for me. It isn’t -like I was any account, Beech!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_114"></a>[114]</span></p> - -<p>“What are you doing? Fishing for compliments? -Come on and quit your kidding! Do you -suppose Burtis would have put you with the quarters -if he hadn’t seen that you had the stuff in -you?”</p> - -<p>“But I haven’t! I can’t play quarter-back for a -cent, Beech, honest! Besides, there’s Frick and -Rawson and Stair——”</p> - -<p>“Listen, Tucker, I know who we’ve got just as -well as you do. Those fellows are all right, but -not one of them has any better chance of copping -the job than you have. And we want the best fellow -to get it. So you come on back to-morrow, -Tucker my lad, and be properly ashamed of yourself. -And don’t let’s have any more talk about -scholarships and things. If you can’t play a little -football and keep your end up in classes you’re -less of a man than I thought you were. And that’s -that!”</p> - -<p>“Well, I’ll see,” answered Toby dubiously. “It’s -all well enough——”</p> - -<p>“You’ll see nothing,” said Beech sternly. “You’ll -be on the field to-morrow at three-fifteen dressed to -play. By the way, where’d you get hold of that -chap Tubbs?”</p> - -<p>“Why, I just happened to run across him. He<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_115"></a>[115]</span> -was having sort of a poor time of it and I thought -if I could get him interested in something he might -pull himself together.” Toby was rather apologetic. -“He didn’t want to do it and I was afraid he -wouldn’t stick it long.”</p> - -<p>“How do you mean, wouldn’t stick it?”</p> - -<p>“Why, he’s quit, hasn’t he? He told me Saturday -he was going to.”</p> - -<p>“He was out to-day all right. Shucks, he isn’t -going to quit. He’s stringing you. He’s liking it -well enough now, and unless I miss my guess he’s -going to make a few of our bunch sit up and take -notice. The boy’s a natural-born end! Well, see -you to-morrow, old man. So long!”</p> - -<p>George Tubb a “natural-born end”! Toby forgot -for the moment the complication just introduced -into his own affairs in surprise over Beech’s appraisal -of Tubb. That the latter would make good on the -gridiron Toby had never for an instant believed. He -had only hoped that the dissatisfied youth would find -in football a new and sufficient interest to reconcile -him to the school and, perhaps, a means of making -friends. Well, he was certainly quite as pleased as -he was surprised! In view of what Beech had just -told him, however, he wondered why Tubb had<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_116"></a>[116]</span> -threatened only two days ago to quit; and, still -wondering, he kept on to the third floor instead of -stopping at the second and knocked at the door of -Number 31.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_117"></a>[117]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI<br /> -<small>TOM FANNING, OPTIMIST</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">Only Horace Ramsey was at home when -Toby entered Number 31. Ramsey appeared -very glad to see the visitor, and -he was quite fussed-up during the process of getting -Toby comfortably seated. The room was one of -the better ones on the third floor, and one of the -occupants, probably Ramsey, had added to the -scanty equipment supplied by the school. Although -the evening had turned decidedly cool, both windows -were wide open, and it was not until Toby -had glanced at them a bit uneasily several times -that Ramsey took the hint.</p> - -<p>“It is sort of cold in here, I guess,” he said, as -he closed the windows. “I’m used to a cold room, -though. Plenty of fresh air is what I like. Mr. -Bendix says you can’t have too much of it. George -doesn’t like it much, though, and we scrap a good -deal about having the windows open.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_118"></a>[118]</span></p> - -<p>“George? Oh, you mean Tubb. How are you -and he getting on now? Hitting it off any better?”</p> - -<p>Horace Ramsey smiled. “Oh, yes, we get on all -right. He’s a cranky chap, though. I have to -handle him carefully. He gets the most awful -grouches you ever saw. Gets positively ugly and -hates himself. Still, he’s been some better the last -few days.” Ramsey chuckled. “Guess I have, too. -At first I used to let go of my temper and—well, you -found us at it one night. Remember? Now I just -let him growl and he gets over it after a bit. He’s -really not a bad sort when you get to know him.”</p> - -<p>“I thought I might find him in,” explained Toby. -Then a faint expression of disappointment on the -other’s face made him add: “And then I wanted -to see how you were getting on, too, Ramsey. You’re -looking pretty fit. Been playing much tennis?”</p> - -<p>“Every day. A fellow named Lingard, a Fourth -Class fellow, and I have been at it a lot. Don’t -know if you know him, Tucker. Sort of a lanky -chap, with——”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I know Tommy. Didn’t know he was a -tennis player, though.”</p> - -<p>“He isn’t,” laughed Ramsey. “At least, not much -of one. But neither am I just now, and I sort of -like to play with a chap I can lick now and then.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_119"></a>[119]</span> -Maybe it isn’t good practice, though. There’s a -fellow named Colcord who gave me a couple of -sets this afternoon. He’s pretty good at it. Beat -me both sets, 6 to 3. I’d like to take you on again, -Tucker. I guess I could give you a better fight -now that I’ve had some practice. Mr. Bendix says -it’ll take several weeks to get my muscles loosened -up.”</p> - -<p>“I dare say. Had much trouble with your heart -lately?”</p> - -<p>“N-no, very little. I get out of breath pretty -easily, but Mr. Bendix says that’s because I’m -carrying too much weight. Maybe my heart’s all -right after all, just as he says it is. He sort of—what -I mean is, you can’t help believing what he -says, can you? He’s supposed to know a lot about -physical training and—and all that, isn’t he?” Toby -nodded assent. “I like him a lot, anyway, and I’m -doing just what he tells me, even to nearly freezing -in here with the windows open.”</p> - -<p>Toby laughed. “Thought you said you were used -to cold rooms, Ramsey!”</p> - -<p>“Well, I—I meant I was getting used to them,” -answered the other, grinning.</p> - -<p>“Tubb is still with the Second Team, I hear,” -said Toby.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_120"></a>[120]</span></p> - -<p>“Yes. That reminds me! He was quite excited -this afternoon because you weren’t on the field. -Don’t know what business it is of his, but he kept -chewing the rag about it.”</p> - -<p>“No, I—I cut practice to-day. Fact is, I——” -Then he stopped. He had been about to add that -he was through with football for the season, but he -suddenly realized that it wasn’t true, that to-morrow -would find him back again. “How’s Tubb getting -on?” he asked instead.</p> - -<p>“Oh, pretty well, I guess. He hasn’t said so, but -when he doesn’t growl about a thing I know it’s all -right. Last week he kept telling how hard they -made him work and saying he was going to quit, -but he’s shut up about it lately.”</p> - -<p>A few minutes afterward, going down to the -floor below, Toby shook his head dubiously. “It’s -funny the way I make up my mind to things lately -without knowing it. When I went upstairs I -thought I was going to be firm with Beech and stay -out of it. Then, first thing I knew, I’d decided to -keep on! Wonder if there’s something wrong with -my bean!”</p> - -<p>Back in Number 12, Toby found a scrawl from -Arnold bidding him follow to Frank’s room in -Clarke, but he crumpled it up and, after a moment’s<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_121"></a>[121]</span> -reflection, dropped it in the waste-basket and settled -himself at the table. He got in some good licks of -study that evening and was annoyingly superior and -virtuous when Arnold returned at bedtime.</p> - -<p>The next afternoon Toby took his togs back to -the gymnasium. Fortunately, although he had -given up his locker, no one had secured it. If -Coach Burtis knew of his defection the day before -he made no sign. Grover Beech, however, nodded -commendingly, and, or so Toby thought, Roy Frick, -at present the most promising of the quarter-backs, -viewed his return with a noticeable lack of cordiality. -For several afternoons Toby toiled and -drudged willingly and contentedly. Mr. Burtis -was allowing but three scrimmages a week, and in -none of them did Toby appear. The fact puzzled -the boy considerably, but he kept his puzzlement to -himself. Even Bird, who could not be considered -first-class quarter-back material by any stretch of -imagination, got in for a few minutes in each practice -game. Toby invariably retired to the bench -when the line-up came and, blanket-swathed, -watched and wondered throughout the ten or fifteen -minute periods. On one such occasion he found a -seat beside George Tubb. He and George had met -and spoken before, but only briefly. To-day Toby<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_122"></a>[122]</span> -viewed George with real surprise. Seen at close -quarters, the younger fellow showed the results of -a week of football work very plainly. He had a -much better color, looked several pounds thinner—and -considerably harder—and had lost some of the -discontent usually so eloquently expressed by his -countenance. But there was plenty of the old George -W. Tubb left, as Toby soon discovered.</p> - -<p>“They’ve got me playing end,” said George. “It’s -a rotten position. I told that big guy with the -swelled head that I wanted——”</p> - -<p>“Meaning the coach?” asked Toby.</p> - -<p>“Sure! I told him I was a half-back, but he -thinks he knows it all.”</p> - -<p>“Too bad,” commented Toby innocently, “because, -of course, a fellow can’t do good work out -of his right position. I suppose you’re making -rather a mess of end, Tubb.”</p> - -<p>“Who says that?” demanded George, with a -scowl.</p> - -<p>“Why, no one. I just thought, from what you -said——”</p> - -<p>“Well, I guess I’m doing as well as Connell; and -he’s been playing two years at it. But this business -doesn’t get a fellow anywhere. What’s it -amount to, anyway? They say we’ll play a couple<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_123"></a>[123]</span> -of dozen games with the First and run up against -two or three bum teams around here, and then it’s -all over, and the First Team gets the glory. Maybe -I’ll stick it out awhile longer, but life’s too short to -spend a month and a half at this sort of stuff.”</p> - -<p>He glanced sidewise at Toby as he finished, and -Toby caught the glance and understood. George -had no intention of quitting, and never had had -since the first day! What he wanted was Toby to -ask him not to! Toby suppressed a smile.</p> - -<p>“I wouldn’t do that, Tubb,” he said earnestly. -“I—I wish you wouldn’t. You see, I have a hunch -that you’ve got in you to make a pretty good player, -and—well, I wish you’d give yourself a fair chance. -As a favor to me, Tubb, I wish you’d try to stick -it out.”</p> - -<p>George growled and scowled, but Toby didn’t -miss the look of satisfaction that flickered for an -instant in his eyes. After a moment of weighty -hesitation George sighed wearily. “Well, I guess -another week or two won’t hurt me,” he said ungraciously. -“I’ll stick around until I get Connell’s -number, anyway. You got me into this, Tucker, -and——” George stopped abruptly, leaped to his -feet and dropped his blanket. “I’ve got to go in! -See you later!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_124"></a>[124]</span></p> - -<p>Then he legged it to where Coach Burtis was -beckoning, leaving Toby grinning broadly. “He’s -just the biggest kind of a kid,” thought Toby. -“Wants friendship and hasn’t the slightest idea how -to get it!”</p> - -<p>But if Toby was allowed no opportunity to -achieve glory that week, at least none begrudged -him hard work. He was allowed to labor to his -heart’s content. Nay, he was urged to! Coach -Burtis seemed to be distinctly unhappy if Toby -happened on a moment’s idleness during practice -time, and he or Captain Beech was forever at hand -to suggest a new activity. Toby got to hate the -tackling dummy with a deep and bitter hatred. He -told Arnold he couldn’t enjoy his meals any longer -because his mouth was always filled with dirt. -Arnold advised him to close his mouth when he -did his tackling.</p> - -<p>For the First Team, on which Arnold was alternating -with Bates at right half-back, life had become -real and earnest. Coach Lyle had made a -wholesale cut in the squad and fellows who were -“up” in football affairs professed themselves already -able to tell you what the line-up would be in -the final game of the season with Broadwood. And -a good many did tell—if you’d listen. Frank Lamson<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_125"></a>[125]</span> -was also trying for a half-back position, but -Frank’s chances were not considered brilliant. At -least, though, he survived the cut, and when, on -Saturday, the team played its second game, with -Tyron School, Frank displaced Roover in the last -quarter and sent his stock up tremendously by a -slashing fourteen-yard run that netted Yardley’s last -score. Toby saw the final half of the game from -the bleachers and yelled like a Comanche when -Frank fairly smashed his way through the Tyron -backs and went over the line near the corner of the -field with two of the enemy clinging to him like -limpets. Yardley’s work showed the effect of a -week’s hard practice and some indication of promise. -Teamwork was totally lacking, however, and -it was individual brilliancy that ran the score up to -29 points. Curran, at quarter-back, and Noyes, -who substituted for him, handled the team well. -On the whole, although Tyron had managed to secure -6 points by two easy field-goals, Yardley Hall -was satisfied with her team’s showing, and felt that -there was reason to expect a successful season. As, -however, October was still but a few days old, the -conclusion may have been a trifle premature.</p> - -<p>Captain Fanning, naturally optimistic, viewed the -future very cheerfully indeed that evening. He was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_126"></a>[126]</span> -a tall, fine-looking chap, was Tom, and immensely -popular. If he had any discernible fault it was that -popularity meant a little too much to him, that he -was a bit too dependent on the goodwill of his fellows. -Criticism didn’t agree with Tom. It didn’t -make him angry, but it hurt his feelings. On the -other hand, praise was meat and drink to him, and -if you wanted to hear him purr you had only to -stroke him. But every one liked him, the juniors -in Merle Hall, the First Class fellows in Dudley -and the faculty members as well. And he was a -really remarkable football player, as he had proved -last season. His more ardent admirers went so far -as to believe that so long as Tom Fanning played -left tackle it didn’t matter much who else was on -that side of center. Like most brilliant players, -though, he was better offensively than defensively. -As a captain Tom had yet to be proved, for neither -personal popularity nor individual ability necessarily -insures leadership. Tom believed very thoroughly -in himself, however, and if any one held -doubts as to his fitness for the captaincy that person -was not Tom.</p> - -<p>To-night, tilted back in a chair against Toby’s -bed, his long legs stretched before him, his hands in -his trousers pockets, and a contented smile on his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_127"></a>[127]</span> -good-looking countenance, Tom was doing his own -stroking. “Really, Arnold,” he was saying, “we’ve -got a ripping lot of fellows this year, now haven’t -we? Take the line from end to end, you can’t beat -it! I don’t care whether Candee or Orlie Simpson -plays center or whether Jim Rose or Twining plays -left guard. Any way you look at it it’s a corking -line. That’s the beauty of having really good substitutes. -As for the back-field, why, with you and -Larry and Roover and Curran—or Noyes, for that -matter—there won’t be a better one in this corner of -the world this fall!”</p> - -<p>“Say, Tom, how do you get that way?” asked -Arnold, who was struggling into a clean collar. -“The team’s all right, old dear, but we haven’t won -the Broadwood game quite yet. To listen to you a -fellow would think we’d just hung the ball in the -Trophy Room!”</p> - -<p>Tom laughed good-naturedly. “Well, I’ve picked -out a place for it, Arn! Oh, we’ll have our little -setbacks and we’ll lose a game or two one way or -another, but that isn’t troubling me any. Why——”</p> - -<p>“All right, but don’t talk like that so the fellows -can hear you,” protested Arnold, more than half -serious. “The worst thing that can happen to a -team is for it to get the happy, confident feeling.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_128"></a>[128]</span> -Just as soon as it does it gets a silly grin on its -face—or faces, rather—and dies in its tracks. I’d -like it better if you’d cultivate a fine grouch, Tom.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe I shall later, but you can’t make me -grouchy to-night. I tell you, Arn, we showed what -we had to-day. Take the team as it played this -afternoon and teach it to work together and you’ve -got a real machine, son. And Broadwood’ll know -it some day!”</p> - -<p>“I know. We have got some good players, and -that’s no dream, but just at present it’s too much -of an all-star aggregation to make a hit with me. -There’s a heap of work ahead of us, old dear, before -we get to be a real football team, and don’t you -forget that for a little minute!”</p> - -<p>“Oh, you’re a regular Calamity Jane,” jeered -Tom. “Come on, or we’ll be late. Where’s Tucker? -Isn’t he coming?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, he will be here in a minute, I guess. And -Frank’s going, too.”</p> - -<p>“Lamson?” Tom’s brow clouded for an instant. -“Say, Arn, he made a nifty touchdown to-day, -didn’t he?”</p> - -<p>“I thought so. But you needn’t cry about it.”</p> - -<p>“I’m not. I was only wondering—You know, to -my mind, Morris Roover’s the right chap there, Arn.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_129"></a>[129]</span> -Now suppose Lamson keeps on as he did this afternoon, -eh?”</p> - -<p>“Why, he will get the place, won’t he? You -want the best man there, don’t you?”</p> - -<p>“Rather! But Roover’s tried pretty hard for it. -I mean, I’d be sorry if he lost out. He had hard -luck last fall, you know. Got sick in the middle of -the season and didn’t even get his letter. I suppose -he’s hoping to make good this year.”</p> - -<p>“What of it? He’s got another year after this. -The trouble with you, Tom, is that you can’t forget -your friendships on the gridiron. It won’t do, believe -me. Friendship ceases at three-fifteen, or it -ought to, when you’re captain. If it wasn’t for Mr. -Lyle you’d have Sim Clarke playing end and Snow -at guard and—and all the rest of your cronies—including -me—on the team, and it would be a bum -outfit. Friendship’s no good when it comes to picking -a team, Tom.”</p> - -<p>“Nonsense!” retorted the other. He didn’t seem -displeased, though. “Of course I’d like to have my -friends on the team; any fellow would; but they -won’t get any favoritism from me.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no, none at all!” answered Arnold, -buttoning his vest. “Look here, old dear, if I -ever suspect that you’re trying to put me across<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_130"></a>[130]</span> -because I’m a friend I’ll quit the team cold!”</p> - -<p>“Oh, rot! You know perfectly well that you -and Bates are the best we have for the position, and -as far as I’m concerned I don’t care which of you -gets it.”</p> - -<p>“Stick to that and all will be well! What time -have you got? I wonder what’s happened to Frank -and——”</p> - -<p>Toby’s appearance interrupted him and a minute -later they were on their way, picking up Frank -Lamson outside. They were going to the movies -in Greenburg, the larger town across the river. -There was a small moving picture theater in Wissining, -no more than half a mile from school, that -was well patronized by Yardley, but in Greenburg -there were three of them to choose from, and to-night -the boys had secured leave for the whole evening -and so had plenty of time to make the longer -journey. Besides, at Greenburg you got two pictures -and listened to real music from an organ, -while at the local house your entertainment was -over in an hour and the piano was very tin-panny. -Tom Fanning ranged beside Toby on the way down -the hill and Arnold and Frank followed. Tom was -still full of football and optimism, and Toby heard -a good deal about the team’s wonderful prospects<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_131"></a>[131]</span> -and didn’t have to do any of the talking. By the -time the bridge was reached, however, Tom had -worked off some of his enthusiasm and inquired -about Toby’s fortunes.</p> - -<p>“Arn says he finally persuaded you to try for the -Second,” he said. “Like it?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I like it very well,” answered Toby. “Only -I can’t seem to take it as seriously as most of the -fellows. Ought I to, Fanning? What I mean is, -just how important is playing football on the Second -Team? I wanted to quit last week and Arnold -had a fit and Grover Beech read the riot act to me. -I thought football, especially Second Team football, -was a lark, but I’m beginning to think that -it’s not!”</p> - -<p>“Well, I suppose we do take football rather too -seriously,” replied Tom leniently. “But, hang it, -Tucker, if you’re going to do a thing why not do -it well? Why not put your whole heart into it? Of -course, the Second Team isn’t as important as the -First, but it’s just as well for the fellows who play -on it to think it is. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t -work so hard and we wouldn’t turn out such a good -Second Team. And, after all, a good Second is -important, because it gives us practice.”</p> - -<p>“When do you begin playing us?” asked Toby.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_132"></a>[132]</span></p> - -<p>“Next week. Tuesday, probably. What are you -trying for?”</p> - -<p>“Quarter. Sounds conceited, doesn’t it?”</p> - -<p>“Not a bit! Why? A quarter-back isn’t any -better than a guard or an end, is he? It takes just -as much ability to play one position well as it does -another.”</p> - -<p>“Y-yes, I suppose so, but—it seems to me a fellow’s -got to know a whole lot in order to run the -team right.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, he has. But it comes down to knowing -a few plays and when to call for them, and remembering -your signals. After all, it’s the captain -that’s the general. Half the time a quarter doesn’t -get much chance to boss the thing. The coach maps -the game out beforehand, the captain holds the reins -and the quarter-back does the yelling.” Tom -laughed. “Anyway, that’s pretty close to it, Tucker.”</p> - -<p>“That doesn’t sound so bad,” Toby said in relieved -tones. “I was sort of scared, you see; -thought I might have to run the whole business if -I happened to get put in some time. I’d make rather -a mess of it if I did, I guess!”</p> - -<p>“Not you, Tucker. You’re rather the type to -make good, I’d say. I hope you get the place.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_133"></a>[133]</span></p> - -<p>“Thanks,” answered Toby, dubiously. “You -mean kindly, no doubt, but I guess I’d just as lief -some one else got it. Frick has it now and I dare -say he will keep it. He will so far as I’m concerned!”</p> - -<p>“You don’t seem to have a very high notion of -your ability,” laughed Tom. “Don’t be too humble, -Tucker, or folks will begin to think the way you -talk. And, look here, there’ll be a chance for you -on the First next year, for both Curran and Noyes -will be gone, and the rest of the lot aren’t very -promising. So just you keep going, Tucker.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I’ll keep going all right,” replied Toby -sadly. “They won’t let me do anything else. They’re -always picking on me.”</p> - -<p>“Who?”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Burtis and Beech. They sit up together -until daylight finding stunts for me to do the next -day!”</p> - -<p>“Sounds to me,” said Tom thoughtfully, “as if -you were better than you make yourself out, old -man. Or else you imagine things.”</p> - -<p>“Let’s say the last guess is right,” laughed Toby.</p> - -<p>They visited two theaters before they found one -whose bill promised the sort of entertainment they -wanted, and found seats just before the house darkened.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_134"></a>[134]</span> -During the announcement of coming attractions -some one tapped Toby on the shoulder and he -looked around in the half-gloom and saw Horace -Ramsey seated behind him in company with George -Tubb. Horace was evidently pleased when Toby -recognized him and spoke to him, but George’s only -response to Toby’s whispered greeting was a nod -and a scowl.</p> - -<p>Going homeward, two hours later, the quartet -grew to a round dozen as other Yardley boys joined -it, and Arnold observed that maybe it was just as -well there were plenty of them as the “town thugs,” -as he called them, had been getting “fresh” lately. -“Casement and another chap were coming back the -other night and got into a fine old scrap with a -gang of the toughs,” he explained. “They had to -beat it finally. Loring got a beautiful black eye out -of it. He says there were four of them against him -and the other chap. Hence the retreat.”</p> - -<p>“That’s something new, isn’t it?” asked a boy on -the other side of Arnold. “We never used to have -any trouble with the town fellows.”</p> - -<p>“They’re chaps from the new mill they built last -year, I believe. Rather a tough lot, I guess. They’ll -get all they want, though, if they keep on. Wouldn’t -be a bad thing for some of them to turn up now and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_135"></a>[135]</span> -try to start something,” Arnold chuckled. “They -won’t, though, when they see the size of our party.” -And, although their progress out of Greenburg was -anything but quiet, none disputed their way.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_136"></a>[136]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII<br /> -<small>FIRST TEAM VS. SECOND</small></h2> -</div> - -<p class="cap">The Second Team started its training table -Monday. The First had done so a week -earlier. The tables, each accommodating -eighteen persons, occupied the two farther corners -of the dining-hall. That of the First Team was -given a certain degree of privacy by two oak screens -similar to the one that stood before the door leading -to the pantry, but the Second Team consumed its -meals in full view of the world. Joining the training -table, Toby discovered, added no luxuries to -your menu. Rather, it did quite otherwise, for -pastry and puddings, save for one or two very simple -concoctions, were sternly barred. You got rather -more beef and lamb—too underdone to please Toby—and -eggs were a drug on the market. Potatoes -were served sparingly and only in the baked condition. -On the whole, there was a notable monotony -to the training table fare, but as the fellows were<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_137"></a>[137]</span> -generally extremely hungry that didn’t trouble them -greatly.</p> - -<p>Toby’s presence at the Second Team board was -somewhat of a surprise to Toby, since, as there were -places for only seventeen players,—Coach Burtis -sat at the head of the table,—it seemed to him that -he was displacing more deserving talent. Why he -should be there and Stair and Bird not there, was a -conundrum, a conundrum that was partly answered -for him that Monday afternoon.</p> - -<p>“You’re on B Team, Tucker,” announced Mr. -Burtis when, at four o’clock, the players were called -back to the bench. “Show me what you’ve learned -the last week. You’ll have Lippman at half and I -want you to use him whenever you can. Play him -hard. He will stand it. And don’t neglect your -kicking game just because your punters aren’t the -best. The only way for them to learn is to have it -to do. Keep to simple plays; B Team doesn’t know -anything complicated; and speed it up all you know -how.”</p> - -<p>“Y-yes, sir,” agreed Toby. Then he shed his -blanket and wondered whether he had learned anything -the last week, and if he had what it was! -However, it wouldn’t do to let either the coach or -the players guess the trepidation he felt, and so he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_138"></a>[138]</span> -pulled on his head-guard quite snappily and limbered -up his legs, as, he judged, was the approved -thing to do, and looked as smiling and care-free as -possible. Then the two teams trotted out, A with -the ball, and Gyp blew a whistle and his troubles -had begun.</p> - -<p>But, after all, the troubles weren’t so many, nor -so formidable. He made mistakes, and he shared in -a perfectly ghastly fumble on A’s twenty-six yards, -and twice he got his signals so badly mixed that the -whole team howled at him. But, on the other hand, -he put vim into his fellows and followed the coach’s -directions regarding Lippman and the kicking game -and the use of simple plays, and before the period -had ended he had the exquisite pleasure of watching -the pigskin skin the enemy’s cross-bar for a three-point -tally. He could have wept tears of joy on -Crawford’s neck for that thirty-yard drop-kick, and -A Team’s sullen resentment was an added delight. -But B had to pay for her cheekiness. Already A -had scored a touchdown, and now, bitterly resentful, -she set to work to wreak vengeance. And she -did it finally, for three long runs by Nelson and -White took the ball back to B’s thirty-five yards -and White plugged along for another down through -a crumbling right side in spite of Toby’s shrill exhortations,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_139"></a>[139]</span> -and Stover banged into Sid Creel, at -center, and piled through to the eighteen. Toby -was very glad when time was called for Sid’s recovery, -for B was on the run and becoming more -disorganized each moment. He spent a precious -two minutes ranging the line and “talking Dutch,” -and when Sid, looking vague and dizzy, shuffled -into his position again there was a perceptible stiffening -of the defense. But it couldn’t last against -A’s battering-ram tactics, and presently it was -crumbling again. Short gains but steady, and B -was on her last white line, and it was second down -and every one was shouting or grunting. Toby -gritted his teeth and danced about and hurled defiance -across the bent backs before him, all the time -trying with the intensity of despair to guess the play -that was coming. He did guess, but he guessed -wrong, and Nelson shot unexpectedly outside right -tackle, straight for the center of the goal, and the -only satisfaction Toby got was in sitting on Nelson’s -head after he had been pulled down by Crawford. -Bowen grinned miserably, and every B Team -fellow was very, very careful not so much as to look -at him; for Bowen was right tackle and had been -most ingloriously eliminated. After that the horn -squawked and the half was over.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_140"></a>[140]</span></p> - -<p>Toby and several others who had played through -the whole twelve minutes were dismissed to the -showers, although all would have preferred staying -and watching the second half. Instead, they -argued hotly all the way up to the gymnasium—the -two teams being very equally represented—and -still argued, though with diminished heat, while the -showers hissed. Toby was secretly rather well satisfied -with his performance that afternoon until, -later, he learned that B Team, under Roy Frick’s -generalship, had actually scored a touchdown in the -last period of play!</p> - -<p>On Tuesday, after a half-hour of light practice, -the Second trotted over to the First Team field and, -before a large and interested audience, was badly -mauled and beaten. Frick and Rawson played quarter -through two twelve-minute halves, and Toby -and Stair—Bird, it seemed, had retired to private -life—sat on the bench and watched and worried, -trying to believe that things would have gone no -better for the Second if they had taken part. Second -used most of her substitutes in a vain effort to -stave off, not defeat, for that was inevitable, but -dishonor, and could make nothing of it. First Team -piled up the scores with a merciless and monotonous<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_141"></a>[141]</span> -succession and the audience yawned and drifted -away.</p> - -<p>“What’s that?” asked Lou Stair drearily. -“Twenty-three?”</p> - -<p>“Twenty-six,” answered Toby glumly.</p> - -<p>“Gee-jiminy-gosh!” groaned Stair. “Say, what’s -the matter with the Second, anyway? What’s got -into ’em, Tucker! Look at Smith, will you? Why -doesn’t he get down? Why doesn’t Frick get after -him? He thinks he’s a skyscraper! And there -goes Dawson off-side again! Gee, our bunch is -playing like sand-lot kids! Well, he got away with -it, and that’s something!”</p> - -<p>“What of it?” asked Toby dully. “We didn’t -make enough to plant a row of beans on! That’s -third. White’ll have to punt.”</p> - -<p>“Yeah, as much as ten yards!” jeered Stair. -“What’d I tell you? Guess he’s got a friend on the -side-line, the way he kicked the ball there! Well, -here’s where First scores again!”</p> - -<p>And presently First did that very thing, Toby’s -gloom being slightly relieved by the fact that it -was Arnold who took the ball over by a slashing -run from the Second’s eighteen yards. Gloom enveloped -the whole blanketed line of watchers that -second half, for they had been doing a good deal<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_142"></a>[142]</span> -of talking as to what was to happen to the First -Team when they tried conclusions. In fact, Second -had even gone so far as to hint that the real reason -Coach Lyle hadn’t let his team face the Second -before was his fear of a disastrous defeat. Toby -wondered how Coach Burtis, pacing tranquilly to -and fro along the side-line, his hands buried in his -trousers pockets, could maintain his expression of -unconcern in the face of such direful happenings! -Toby would have felt a heap better if Mr. Burtis -had scowled or kicked at a pebble or shown distress -in some other manner. The coach’s unruffled demeanor -seemed to Toby to smack of treason! He -was very glad when that farcical game came to an -end with a final score of 33 to 0.</p> - -<p>Second, fagged, disheveled, outraged, climbed a -weary path to the gymnasium, muttering threats of -vengeance; hearing which Coach Burtis smiled a -secret smile of satisfaction. Toby felt quite disgraced -until the lapse of an hour or two brought -a realization of the fact that such things had happened -before and would happen again, and that -no one took them very seriously. At supper Mr. -Burtis ate quite as much as usual and with as much -enjoyment, and talked and jested in his accustomed -manner; which encouraged Toby to satisfy a really<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_143"></a>[143]</span> -ravenous hunger. After a steak and a baked potato -and the usual trimmings he found that he could -view the afternoon’s Waterloo with equanimity. -There was, he reflected, another day coming!</p> - -<p>Wednesday found Toby learning A Team signals, -his allegiance transferred to that squad by order -of the coach. In the scrimmage Rawson led B -Team and Toby adorned the bench until near the -end of the second half. Then Frick came out and -Toby went in and received an evil and portentous -wink from Sid Creel. That wink said very plainly: -“You wait till I get at you, you renegade!” -Just at first it was a bit disconcerting to find himself -slamming into his former teammates and to realize -that they not only no longer loved him but were -eager to grind his face in the earth and otherwise -degrade him! Before the game was over, though, -he had very effectually forgotten the old ties and -was glorying in every foot of territory conquered -by A Team. It was remarkable what a healthy -antagonism existed between the two squads. Before -the scrimmage they were all Second Team fellows, -and afterwards, in the locker-room, they fraternized -nicely, but while the game lasted they were -enemies and aliens, and neither side asked quarter. -Toby, during a busy six or seven minutes of play<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_144"></a>[144]</span> -that afternoon, was rather rudely handled by his -former comrades, and made his way up the hill -with a ruddy nose and several assorted contusions. -But he had the satisfaction of a touchdown and -a brief word of commendation from Coach Burtis; -and nothing else much mattered.</p> - -<p>Thursday they went against the First again and, -while they were once more decisively trimmed, they -made a far better showing. Toby got in for the -whole of the second half and, after recovering from -a bad attack of stage fright, gave a fairly good account -of himself. Toby wasn’t one to seek personal -glory, and there were times when he might have -taken the ball himself and didn’t. He did get off -one good twenty-yard sprint with the pigskin -clasped in the cradle of his elbow, and got a hearty -thump on his back from Arnold as he trotted by -that member of the enemy forces and a rousing -acclaim from the stands. But for the rest Toby -stayed modestly in position, letting Nelson and -White and, less frequently, Stover, perform the -back-field stunts—or try to. First Team was fast -rounding into a hard-working, aggressive, snappy -organization, and facing her was no child’s play. -That the Second held her to four scores that day, -and credited herself with a field-goal, speaks well<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_145"></a>[145]</span> -for Coach Burtis’ charges. Second didn’t consider -that she had actually wiped out the stigma of Tuesday’s -overwhelming defeat, but she derived a lot -of comfort from her showing, and White, whose -capable foot had secured that goal from the field, -was a twenty-four hour hero. It was even whispered -that Coach Lyle had been seen looking hard -at White and that the latter’s transfer to the First -Team was inevitable. Which, while it may have -brought pleasant anticipations to the Second Team -while full-back, filled the rest of the fellows with -gloomy forebodings.</p> - -<p>“That’s the way they do,” lamented Farquhar, -the rangy left tackle. “Just as soon as we get a -fellow so’s he’s some use to us they nab him for -the First. What’s the use of that? If they want -us to give ’em good practice they ought to let us -have some decent players. But they don’t. Last -year they swiped three of our fellows two weeks -before the Broadwood game. They make me very -weary!”</p> - -<p>However, it seemed that Second’s fears might be -groundless, for Friday found White still with them, -and he was still with them the following day when -the First went up against Forest Hill School.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_146"></a>[146]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII<br /> -<small>TEAM-MATES FALL OUT</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">It was a brute of a day, with a chilling, drizzling -rain and a sodden, sloppy field. Toby -had been out of sorts since the moment of his -awakening to a dimly-lighted room and the sound -of dripping eaves. He had pecked at his breakfast, -more than usually averse to the ruddiness of -his steak and willing to exchange a whole pitcher -of milk for one heartening cup of hot coffee. Recitations -went badly. There was an evident listlessness -on the part of the students and a consequent -lack of sympathy on the part of the instructors. In -Latin Toby made a horrid mess of things, his brain -having apparently forgotten to function, and -“Chawles,” as Mr. Coburn was known among the -boys, became quite testy and rendered a lengthy -oration on the shortcomings of the class, which, -while intended for the entire assemblage, was aimed -directly at Toby. I mention these incidents that -you may better understand what happened in the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_147"></a>[147]</span> -afternoon when the Second Team stood rather -morosely around in the drizzle and waited for practice -to start and Toby, hands rolled in his sweater, -glowered across to where the First Team was -warming up for the Forest Hill contest and damp -but enthusiastic cheers arose from the stands. It -seemed to Toby that a whole lot of fellows, including -T. Tucker, were wasting the golden moments -of life in vain pursuits. Could Toby have chosen -an occupation just then he would have been a -bearded and brawny pirate afloat on a tropic sea, a -cutlass between his teeth and an assortment of pistols -thrust in his blood-red sash. Which shows that -Toby’s normally gentle and sane disposition had a -bad kink in it to-day.</p> - -<p>And at such an inopportune moment Roy Frick, -whose disposition, unlike Toby’s, was never worthy -of being termed gentle, saw fit to make himself obnoxious. -In justice to Frick it should be explained -that he had an inherent dislike for the sensation of -raindrops trickling down the back of his neck, which -sensation he was now having. Frick was a sturdily-made, -hard-muscled fellow of seventeen with a -broad, not ill-favored face. He was vain, arrogant -and pugnacious, although there were those who said -that he liked to talk fight better than he liked to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_148"></a>[148]</span> -fight. Perhaps in an effort to forget his misery, -Frick had taken a ball from the canvas sack in -which they were brought to the field and was passing -with Lippman. Frick was behind Toby, but -the latter was dimly aware of what was going on, -just as he was aware of the late-comers, George -Tubb among them, who were dawdling down from -the gymnasium. Once the pigskin, made slippery -by the rain, escaped from Frick and bobbed across -the wet turf to where Toby stood, and Toby sent it -trickling back with a touch of his foot. Perhaps -there was something antagonistic in the brief, careless -glance exchanged with Frick, for Toby felt antagonistic -to everything at the moment. In any case, -Frick doubtless resented that look, and a minute -later the football collided with a dull, damp thump -against the back of Toby’s head.</p> - -<p>“Sorry!” called Frick grinning. “The ball’s -slippery, Tucker.”</p> - -<p>Toby flushed, walked onto the gridiron, where -the pigskin was wobbling erratically about, and -picked it up. Then, facing the longest stretch of the -field and trying to recall all he had learned of punting, -he swung his right foot against the dropping -ball and was rewarded with a very healthy-sounding -thump. Such a performance in a game would<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_149"></a>[149]</span> -have won him applause, for the ball, in spite of its -sodden condition, arched toward the further corner -of the field in a fine, long flight and came to earth -a full forty-five yards away. But there was no applause -on this occasion, unless the amused glances -of those who happened to see the feat could have -been construed as applausive. Frick came running, -his face redder than Toby’s had been.</p> - -<p>“What’s the idea, Tucker?” he demanded threateningly. -“You go and fetch that now!”</p> - -<p>“Not likely,” answered Toby in a growl.</p> - -<p>“Yes, you will, or I’ll knock your red head off! -You get it, do you hear?”</p> - -<p>Toby’s face paled from red to white. “Yes, I -hear,” he said in a low and steady voice. He covered -the distance of a scant yard that separated -them in one quick step. “I hear a lot I don’t take -stock in, Frick. I hear you’re a fighter, for instance!”</p> - -<p>Frick’s right arm went back, elbow crooked, hand -clenched, and his right foot moved back with it, but -Toby didn’t wait. Instead, he stepped suddenly -forward with his own left foot and thrust shoulder -and flattened hand against Frick’s chest with the -result that the latter staggered back, failed to recover -his balance and sat down hard. He was up<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_150"></a>[150]</span> -in an instant, his eyes blazing, silent, and just a bit -doubtful. And Toby, who had followed, stood -ready. But, while a fight would have been a welcome -relief from boredom, the others interposed. -Watson and Farquhar and Sid Creel and several -more got between the opponents with words of caution -and displeasure.</p> - -<p>“Cut it, you chumps!” said the big center, pushing -Frick away. “Here comes Mr. Burtis!”</p> - -<p>“What do I care?” cried Frick. “Think he’s -going to knock me down and get away with it? Let -go of me, Ben, or I’ll—I’ll smash you! I will! -Take your hands——”</p> - -<p>But Watson wouldn’t, and Farquhar was there -too, soothing and ridiculing, and every one had -mixed in and the incident was perforce closed. -And lest Toby, who really seemed quite calm and -peaceable, should attempt to continue the discussion, -Sid Creel and Stover stood guard over him. And -onto the scene strode Coach Burtis and Captain -Beech, suspicious but asking no questions, and every -one strolled casually somewhere else and looked -very innocent.</p> - -<p>“What was the trouble?” whispered Sid Creel as -he and Toby wandered along the side-line. Toby<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_151"></a>[151]</span> -related the incident in a few words, and Sid observed -him curiously.</p> - -<p>“Gee, you must have had a grouch,” he exclaimed -wonderingly. “Never knew you had a -temper like that, Toby!”</p> - -<p>“Well, I have,” answered Toby dryly. “Of -course, it was a silly thing to do, but he had no business -lamming me with that wet ball!”</p> - -<p>Sid grinned. “Well, it wasn’t his fault the ball -was wet, was it?” he asked.</p> - -<p>Toby managed a weak smile. “It’s his fault he -will have to chase after it,” he answered.</p> - -<p>But of course Frick didn’t have to do any such -thing. There is always some obliging person about -in such an emergency, and it was young Lovett, -hopeful candidate for end position, who scurried -off and brought it back to an indignant Gyp. Then -practice began and every one had other things to -think of for the succeeding hour. Now and again -Toby and Roy Frick encountered each other, on -which occasions Frick glowered or sneered and -Toby pretended to have forgotten the other’s existence. -Toby was rather ashamed of himself by now -and quite willing to consider the affair closed.</p> - -<p>There was no scrimmage this afternoon, and at -a little after four the squad was dismissed. Taking<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_152"></a>[152]</span> -only time enough to wrap themselves in blankets, -the Second hurried in a body across to the other -gridiron and won a ripple of laughter as they appeared -like so many blue wraiths, around the corner -of the covered stand. It seemed like an accident, -but possibly wasn’t, that George Tubb scuttled into -the seat next to Toby.</p> - -<p>“Guess that guy would have mopped the ground -up with you if the fellows hadn’t butted in,” observed -George with one of his malicious grins. -“He’s a lot heavier than you, Tucker.”</p> - -<p>“I had a lucky escape then,” replied Toby. -“Know what the score is here?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing to nothing. Forest Hill’s too fast for -those First Team yaps. Say, I wish Frick would -try to get gay with me some day! I don’t like that -blow-hard.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps he will,” said Toby pleasantly. “At -least, you can hope, Tubb.”</p> - -<p>George eyed him suspiciously. Toby’s tone had -suggested that he viewed the idea with favor. -George grunted. “Well, if he ever does he will get -a lot more’n he expects,” he growled. “You ought -to have handed him a punch instead of just pushing -him, Tucker. He’ll be after you the first chance -he gets. They say he’s a clever scrapper, too.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_153"></a>[153]</span></p> - -<p>“Do they?” asked Toby indifferently. “Then -there’ll probably be enough left for you to tackle, -Tubb.”</p> - -<p>The third period ended just then, and Toby’s -gaze, turning away from the players, encountered -Tubb’s. For some reason Tubb colored, and then -blurted: “Say, you never came around to the room -like you said you were going to, Tucker. You’re -getting sort of choosey, too, I suppose.”</p> - -<p>“I called last week, Tubb. You were out. Didn’t -Ramsey tell you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. I forgot. How’d you know I’d be out?” -Again that objectionable grin! Toby frowned.</p> - -<p>“I didn’t,” he said shortly. Then: “Can’t you -ever be decent, Tubb?” he asked. “This thing of -always having a chip on your shoulder is a bit tiresome.”</p> - -<p>“I haven’t any chip.” Tubb laughed a mixture -of apology and defiance. “I’ve got some—some -pride, though! No fellow needs to know me if he -doesn’t want to!”</p> - -<p>“That goes without saying,” answered Toby -dryly.</p> - -<p>George scowled darkly. “Well, it’s so. A lot of -you guys with wrist-watches make me tired! Gee, -if——”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_154"></a>[154]</span></p> - -<p>“I don’t happen to wear a wrist-watch, Tubb, -and making you tired is nothing in my young life,” -said Toby wearily. “Let’s cut out the love-pats. -I’m not feeling awfully gay to-day. How do you -like playing end?”</p> - -<p>“All right,” replied George after a moment. “If -Mr. Burtis wasn’t a bonehead, though, he’d let me -play half. I always have played half.”</p> - -<p>“Always?” asked Toby, idly, watching Snowden -kick-off to Forest Hill. “How long is ‘always’?”</p> - -<p>“Well, last year and some the year before. I -was the best back on our team, anyway!”</p> - -<p>“I didn’t know you had played so much. When -I asked you——”</p> - -<p>“Oh, well, you sounded so blamed patronizing,” -growled George.</p> - -<p>“Didn’t mean to. I’m glad you stuck it out on -the squad, Tubb. Beech said the other day that—well, -he seemed to think you were going to make -a pretty good end.”</p> - -<p>“Huh!” said George scornfully. “I could show -him some real end playing right now if he’d give -me a chance! But he’s stuck on Mawson and Connell.” -In spite of his words, Toby got the idea -that George was nevertheless pleased by the compliment<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_155"></a>[155]</span> -to his playing. “I suppose they belong to -the same Society Beech does!”</p> - -<p>“No, as a matter of fact, Tubb, Beech is Cambridge -and Connell is Oxford. I don’t know which -Mawson is, but I don’t think it matters. I wouldn’t -make remarks of that sort if I were you. Fellows -don’t like them.”</p> - -<p>If Tubb made any reply Toby didn’t hear it, for -Halliday had got away around Forest Hill’s left -and pulled down a long and desperate forward-pass, -and now he was streaking up the field with the ball -and the stand was on its feet, shouting and imploring. -Halliday dodged the first of the enemy and -sped on. Then the Forest Hill quarter was on him, -there was a confusion of rolling bodies and Ted -was free again to go plunging on toward the nearing -goal-line. The pursuit gained but never quite -reached him, and Ted at last subsided between the -posts. That was all the scoring done by either team, -and shortly after Captain Fanning had missed an -easy goal the game ended. The visitors considered, -and not without reason, that they had virtually won -the honors of the day and departed cheering -through the twilight drizzle.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_156"></a>[156]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV<br /> -<small>TOBY AT QUARTER</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">The outcome of the Forest Hill game was -a favorite topic of discussion during the -next few days. Although Yardley had -won in the last four minutes, by means of a well-earned -touchdown following a forward pass, the -general opinion was that the Blue had been largely -outplayed by a lighter but much faster eleven. Of -course, reverses were to be expected, but after Yardley’s -showing in the Tyron game it did seem that -she should have done better against a “small school -team” like Forest Hill. On the other hand, the local -football historians reminded that some six seasons -ago, Forest Hill had actually won from Yardley, 5 -to 3, and that it was no uncommon thing for the -smaller school to score against the Blue.</p> - -<p>Rumors of changes in the line-up spread, and it -was whispered that all was not serene between captain -and coach. Arnold was decidedly glum that -Saturday evening, and, although the usual excursion<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_157"></a>[157]</span> -to Greenburg in search of moving picture thrills -was made, he was no great addition to the company. -Afterwards, when they were preparing for bed, -Toby told him that he was foolish to let football -worry him so. “Any one might think you were -captain of the eleven instead of Fanning,” said -Toby. “You act——”</p> - -<p>“I wish I was—were—was——”</p> - -<p>“‘Were’ will do. Why do you wish you was—were?”</p> - -<p>“Because I’d drop two or three of the ‘dead-ones’ -and have a team instead of a bunch of stars!”</p> - -<p>Toby weighed that in silence. Finally: “Who -are the ‘dead-ones’?” he asked.</p> - -<p>Arnold shook his head. “Guess I oughtn’t to talk -about it,” he muttered. “It’s not my business.”</p> - -<p>“Right you are! Just remember that. If it’s not -your business, don’t worry about it.”</p> - -<p>“That’s easy enough to say,” Arnold grumbled. -After a moment he said explosively, dropping a -shoe to the floor in emphasis: “Why Mr. Lyle -doesn’t jump in and fire a couple of those fellows -is what gets me! If he hasn’t got the backbone to -stand up against Tom he oughtn’t to be coach.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, well, the season’s young yet,” answered -Toby easily. “Maybe Mr. Lyle is sort of ‘watchful<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_158"></a>[158]</span> -waiting.’ I’m thinking of going to sleep. When -you get through holding your foot in your hand -and making faces you might put out the light. It -works quite easily. You just turn the thingumbob -there. Don’t blow it out, please, because——”</p> - -<p>“Because it might stop your chatter! All right. -Good-night.”</p> - -<p>The rumored changes in the First Team line-up -didn’t materialize, however; at least not during the -following week. Arnold reported that things were -going better and gave credit to Mr. Lyle, who, it -seemed, had delivered a few well-chosen words on -Monday, before practice. “He’s really got some of -the loafers at work,” said Arnold. “Even Stone is -showing a little animation!”</p> - -<p>“Stone being one of the ‘dead-ones’?”</p> - -<p>“Well, he hasn’t looked very much alive until this -week,” answered Arnold. “I dare say we’ll get our -gait by Saturday. They say Brown and Young’s -is a tough bunch of scrappers. I hope they are. -We need to go up against something that has a -wallop!”</p> - -<p>“You did that very thing yesterday,” said Toby.</p> - -<p>“You’re not far off, at that,” agreed the other. -“Your team put up a mighty pretty scrap. If you’d<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_159"></a>[159]</span> -been half as good on defense as you were on attack——”</p> - -<p>“Oh, well, I noticed that we held you fellows -twice inside our thirty. Hold your horses. We’ll -be beating you badly by the end of the month!”</p> - -<p>“Rather fancy yourself, don’t you?” jeered Arnold. -“By the way, was that your friend Tubbs who -played left end for you in the last half?”</p> - -<p>“Tubb is the gentleman’s name. What did you -think of him?”</p> - -<p>“Why, he acted like a crazy Indian! He made -me nervous looking at him, and hearing him!”</p> - -<p>Toby laughed. “That’s his style, Arn. It’s -psychological, you see. He distracts the attention -of the opponent from the game. All that jumping -and up and down and running around and talking -is just to get your goat!”</p> - -<p>“Well, he came near getting it, all right! He -made as much row as a Broadwood shortstop with -the bases full and two down! But he seemed to -me to be playing a pretty good game, just the same. -He was into everything!”</p> - -<p>“Beech says he’s a comer, Arn. If he could only -get over the idea that he’s being imposed on by -every one he’d get on a heap better.”</p> - -<p>“He’s a chronic sorehead and kicker, I suppose.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_160"></a>[160]</span> -I’ve met one or two like him. Maybe he will get -over it in time. How’s that other protégé of yours, -the tennis fiend?”</p> - -<p>“Ramsey? I don’t see much of him nowadays. -But I know that he’s got in with a fairly decent lot -of chaps and looks about fifty per cent better than -he did. I told you about his freezing me one night -when I went to see him? Had both windows wide -open and told me he couldn’t get along without -plenty of fresh air. Bet you anything he’d never -slept with a window open in his life until Muscles -got at him! You know, I think I can take a bit of -credit for the—the rejuvenation of friend Ramsey!”</p> - -<p>“Well, that’s some word, but I dare say you’re -right. Now all you’ve got to do is make Mr. Tubbs -over and you’re through.”</p> - -<p>“Tubb is a hard-boiled one, Arn, and I haven’t -much hope of him. If I liked him a bit better I -suppose I’d take more interest in his career——”</p> - -<p>“I wish you’d stop talking like a blooming dictionary,” -groaned Arnold. “Now dry up and let -me take a fall out of this math.”</p> - -<p>That week saw two changes in the Second Team. -Sid Creel displaced Watson at center and George -Tubb was shifted from B Team to A. He and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_161"></a>[161]</span> -Mawson were used impartially and in the four -games that the Second played against the First that -week there appeared to be little choice between -them. The same could be as truthfully said of -Toby and Roy Frick. Sometimes one started the -game and sometimes the other, but each had an -equal chance. Toby had his shortcomings and so -did his rival, Toby’s concerning individual play and -Frick’s generalship. Or, perhaps, leadership -would be a better word to use. Somehow, or so it -seemed to those whose business it was to note such -things, the Second Team showed more life and aggressiveness -when Toby’s shrill voice called the signals. -For Toby’s voice <em>was</em> shrill when he played -quarter, though at other times it was an ordinary -tenor of middle register, with a pleasant touch of -Long Island fog in it. But that first day, when unexpectedly -called on to act as quarter-back, Toby’s -nervousness had sent his voice several notes up the -scale, and for some reason it had never come down -again so long as he was giving signals. Arnold likened -it to the yelping of a fox terrier one day, and -on the next occasion Toby tried hard to bring it -back to normal, with the result that it sounded as -hoarse as a frog with a bad cold, and no one could -hear him!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_162"></a>[162]</span></p> - -<p>But at individual playing of the position, Roy -Frick was better. Frick was a tricky runner and -frequently squirmed outside tackles for needed -gains. And he was a dependable punter. Possibly -Toby would have showed up better beside Frick at -this time if he had had more faith in his own ability, -but he was chary of trusting to his own efforts -to advance the ball. On catching punts and running -them in, he was not much behind his rival, and at -punting he was fast catching up with him. But -there was no doubt that from the spectator’s point -of view Frick was the man for the job.</p> - -<p>There had been no resumption of hostilities between -the two. Toby was willing to forgive and -forget, although he secretly disliked Frick for the -latter’s overbearing manner. For his part, Frick -had evidently neither forgiven nor forgotten, but -he seemed satisfied to let the matter rest as it was. -Toby had an idea that the other frequently ridiculed -his playing, for sometimes he caught looks of stifled -amusement on the faces of Frick’s cronies. As, -however, they were seldom on the bench at the same -time and, being in different classes and having different -circles of friends, scarcely ever encountered -each other off the football field, there was little -chance for a clash. At training table Frick sat four<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_163"></a>[163]</span> -places from Toby on the same side of the board; -and, anyway, at table personal animosities would -not be allowed to flourish. Save for an occasional -Sunday, Coach Burtis was always in his place at -the head, and he had a watchful eye and a careful -ear.</p> - -<p>On Friday, contrary to custom, the Second Team -was led across to the other gridiron for a twelve-minute -bout with the First. The First had not -pleased Coach Lyle since the Forest Hill game, and -the morrow’s contest, with Brown and Young’s -School would demand all the Blue had. Toby was -sent in at quarter. He noted two changes in the -First Team’s line. Casement was playing right -guard in place of Snow and Candee was at center -in Simpson’s stead. Coach Burtis had instructed -him to give the First’s center and right side the -brunt of the line attack, and Toby understood now -that the substitutes there were to be put to the test. -He wondered if either of them suspected and -whether their own coach had instigated the ordeal. -He felt a bit sorry for Snow, who was rather light -for a guard, and hoped he wouldn’t get used too -roughly.</p> - -<p>There was no kick-off to-day. Instead, Second -was given the ball in the middle of the field.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_164"></a>[164]</span> -Coaches and trainers hovered about like hawks -around a chicken yard, and there was much exhorting -and last-moment instructing. First Team had -been keyed up to the minute, and faces showed -strain and poised bodies tension. Toby had Nelson, -Lippman, and Crawford behind him, and it -was Lippman he chose for that first attack. His -voice yelped, Farquhar, left tackle, trotted over to -the right of the line, the signal came, and Lippman, -seizing the ball at a hand-pass, smashed ahead. -Crawford and Toby piled in behind. The First -Team line buckled and snapped back again. Jim -Rose, big and pink-cheeked, roared defiance. “Second -down! Nine!” shouted the referee. Toby -grabbed an arm and pulled Lippman out of the pile. -Already he was shouting new signals. Again Farquhar -shifted, again Lippman took the pass. But -this time he shot obliquely to the left, the whole -back-field behind him, and plunged at Snow. -Through he went, fighting, squirming, turning! -two yards—three—four—Then the rout was -stayed. A faint “Down” and the blowing of the -whistle came together. Toby arose from some -one’s unquiet legs and added another note to his -voice:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_165"></a>[165]</span></p> - -<p>“That’s the stuff, Second! That’s working! -Come on, now! Let’s get ’em again! Signal!”</p> - -<p>“Five to go!” cried the referee, skipping away.</p> - -<p>“Hold that side! Hold that side!” shouted -Fanning.</p> - -<p>“That was on you, Snow!” Mr. Lyle’s voice was -ice-cold. “Don’t let them do it again!”</p> - -<p>“Come on, Yardley! Throw ’em back!” called -Curran, up-field. “Watch for a forward, there, -Ted!”</p> - -<p>Again Second smashed at the First’s right guard -and center, and again the latter yielded. But Crawford -had made only a yard and a half, and now it -was fourth down and the forty-yard line was still -a good ten feet distant. Grover Beech pulled -Toby’s head down and whispered, and Toby gave -back a doubtful glance. But Beech’s word was -law so long as it didn’t transgress the coach’s instructions, -and Toby yielded. “Farquhar back!” he -called. “Hold that line, Second!” Farquhar -trotted to a kicking position and Nelson slipped into -the line. First scented a fake, but covered her field -nevertheless. Then the ball shot back to Lippman -and he set out around his end, Toby leading. For -a moment the play looked good, for First had -drawn her back-field away, but Sanford eluded<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_166"></a>[166]</span> -Connell and sent Toby sprawling and Roover got -Lippman two yards short of the distance.</p> - -<p>First made two at the Second’s left and then -kicked. Crawford misjudged the ball badly on his -twenty-five yards and it went over his head. Toby -fell on it on his fifteen, and two First Team men -fell on him. Second plugged the center again for -two, and again for one. Then, on a delayed pass, -Crawford squirmed through Snow for eight yards -and first down. What a scolding there was then! -Coach Lyle fairly raised welts. Some one called -for time, and Toby, still short of breath from being -sat on by the First Team ends, was very glad. -Beech led him back.</p> - -<p>“Watch Stone,” he said. “He’s coming away in -on those plays. Slip one through outside him, -Tucker. There’s a fine hole there!”</p> - -<p>Toby nodded. “Got to bang the center, though, -Beech. Coach’s orders. I’ll try it, though, first -time they tighten.”</p> - -<p>Toby shifted his line to the left, and First massed -to meet the attack. Lippman failed at center, Candee -standing like a rock. On a fake-kick, Crawford -struck the line hard, but made less than a yard. -Crawford gained three through Snow. Farquhar -dropped back and Lippman dashed outside Stone<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_167"></a>[167]</span> -and reeled off six yards before he was stopped. -With one to go on fourth down, Toby elected to -punt, and Farquhar dropped the pigskin on the -First’s thirty-yard line. Roover brought it back -to near the center of the field before Beech pulled -him down.</p> - -<p>First worked a neat forward-pass that netted -seventeen yards and then smashed through center -for five more. Second held twice and First booted -over the line. On the twenty-five Toby returned -to the attack on Snow and Candee and gained six -in three downs. A fake-kick resulted in a fumble -and the pigskin went to First on the opponent’s -twenty-two. There was no holding the First Team -then and she scored in seven plays, Snowden landing -the ball near the corner of the field. The punt-out -was not allowed and the teams went back to the -fifty. Coach Lyle took pity on Snow and that -much-mauled youth was removed in favor of Casement. -For the Second, Stover and White came on -for Lippman and Crawford, and George Tubb for -Mawson. Again the kick-off was barred and Second -given the ball. Toby tried the new right guard -with no gain, got Stover around left for three, -failed once more at center and himself punted to -First’s twenty. First kicked on second down,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_168"></a>[168]</span> -Snowden getting nearly fifty yards. Stover caught -and dodged back for ten. From the forty, Tubb -swung around back and gained midfield on a fine -run around the enemy’s left end. Then Toby fumbled -and Rose captured the ball for the First. Another -forward pass, Curran to Halliday, took the -First to the Second’s twenty-four, and from there -the First battered her way across for the second -score. Before she got it, however, Toby retired -groggily and Frick took his place. Toby had ill-advisedly -allowed Snowden to sit on his stomach. -Frick’s labor was soon over, however, for the First -Team’s second touchdown practically ended the -game.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_169"></a>[169]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV<br /> -<small>THE “TOUGH BUNCH”</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">No one seemed satisfied with the day’s performance. -The First resented the enemy’s -gains through their line and the -Second declared stoutly that if they had been taught -a decent defense against forward-passes the First -would never have scored. Arnold told Toby later -that Coach Lyle had read the riot act afterwards. -“I didn’t know he could be so rude,” said Arnold -sadly.</p> - -<p>“Why didn’t you get in to-day?” Toby asked -from the window-seat where, propped on many -cushions, he looked pale and interesting.</p> - -<p>“Lyle wanted to give you fellows a show.”</p> - -<p>“Well, Bates didn’t do a whole lot,” said Toby. -“You’re pretty punk, Arn, but you’ve got it over -him. Gee, if I hadn’t made that rotten fumble on -the fifty yards that time we might have held you -fellows to a measly six points!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_170"></a>[170]</span></p> - -<p>“Yes, not! Son, that fumble of yours didn’t -affect the game a mite. It was forward-passing -that beat you chaps. Your ends were no good at -all. Even your friend Mr. Tubb was fast asleep.”</p> - -<p>“I know. We’ve got no sort of a defense for forward-passes. -I called the turn on that second one, -but Farquhar was away out of position and Tubb -let Roover get right by him. You wait another -week, though! We’re getting your measure, Arn! -What about to-morrow? Are you going to play?”</p> - -<p>“Ask Mr. Lyle. I suppose I’ll get a show sometime, -though. I sure want to. They say Brown -and Young’s are regular bearcats! What time is -it getting to be? I’m as hungry as the dickens. -Let’s go!”</p> - -<p>The Second Team had no practice Saturday, -which, for some of its members, was fortunate, -since the First had managed to deal very harshly -with them during the brief period of yesterday’s -game. Toby, although he had nothing to show in -the way of scars, was tired and lame when he -crawled out of bed in the morning, and not until he -had shivered under a shower-bath, groaningly -rubbed himself pink and done two minutes of setting-up -exercises in front of an open window which -admitted the frostly tingle of the October morning<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_171"></a>[171]</span> -did the usual feeling of well-being return. After -that he was able to reach chapel without protests -from lame muscles and, later, do full justice to -a breakfast of cereal, eggs, toast, stewed fruit, and -milk.</p> - -<p>Fortunately, on Saturday mornings recitations -were few, for, save during a brief midwinter period -when outdoor sports were at a standstill, preoccupation -was always noticeable on the part of the -student body on that day of the week. Such a condition -of mind was especially evident this forenoon, -due, probably, to the fact that Yardley’s opponent -in the afternoon had been heralded as a strong team -with a proclivity for “roughing it.” Yardley, as -much as any school and perhaps more than many, -held for clean playing, but there was enough of the -“Old Adam” there to make a bit of scrapping interesting. -Its attitude was well explained by a remark -made by Will Curran, the First Team quarter, -in front of Oxford between recitations.</p> - -<p>“If they’re mean players we’ll lick them,” said -Curran. “I never saw a team yet who could play -dirty ball and win as long as the other fellow played -clean. But my guess is that they won’t play dirty. -That sort of stuff doesn’t go here, and I think they -know it. If they don’t know it they’ll mighty soon<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_172"></a>[172]</span> -find it out! They’ll play clean if we have to slug -’em to make ’em!”</p> - -<p>Which statement, although made in all sincerity -and with a perfectly sober countenance, met with -a ripple of laughter from his hearers. “That’s the -idea, Will!” approved Frank Lamson. “We’ll have -peace if we have to fight for it!”</p> - -<p>Brown and Young’s School was a new institution -and a large one. You saw its half-page advertisements -in the magazines every month. Although a -city school, it emphasized athletics and had a field -that any university might have been proud of, with -a stadium that was an architectural triumph. There -were those who opined that Brown and Young’s -graduates were likely to be better grounded in football, -baseball and track athletics than in scholarly -studies, but possibly such persons were disgruntled -by a Brown and Young’s defeat. For Brown and -Young’s took athletics seriously and pursued victory -on diamond, gridiron or rink most strenuously. -And, it must be acknowledged, Brown and Young’s -had won many laurels. Yardley had met her last -spring in baseball, but this was the first gridiron -contest between the two. On the diamonds Brown -and Young’s had proved noisy, argumentative and -a trifle rough in the pinches, and had accepted a 3<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_173"></a>[173]</span> -to 2 defeat not very graciously, but she had not -been guilty of unfair tactics. Perhaps, as Tom -Fanning said, she liked to be thought a bit “tough” -in the hope that her adversaries would either be -afraid or try to beat her at toughness and get caught -doing it. In any event, Yardley received a strict -warning from Coach Lyle before the game.</p> - -<p>“Any fellow who tries dirty work will come -out,” he declared. “If the officials don’t put him -off, I will. Just remember that. If Brown and -Young’s don’t play clean it’s up to the officials. -We’ve heard that these fellows are a ‘tough bunch,’ -a win-at-any-cost team, but you can’t believe everything -you hear. So don’t go into the game looking -for trouble. Maybe it isn’t there. If they should -try the rough-stuff, your captain will call the officials’ -attention to it. Just you keep your hands and -your temper down and your heads up. Play as hard -as you know how, fellows, but play fair.”</p> - -<p>It was an ideal football day, crisp and sunny, -with almost no wind. Frost had left the field a bit -soft but not sufficiently so to affect any one’s game. -Greenburg turned out a good audience, which, -added to the Yardley rooters and a half-hundred -Brown and Young’s followers, nearly filled the -stands by three o’clock. Toby had Sid Creel and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_174"></a>[174]</span> -Grover Beech for companions, and, reaching the -field early, they got first row seats directly behind -the Yardley bench. Brown and Young’s came on -first, a capable-looking squad of thirty or so, accompanied -by a regular retinue of noncombatants; a -head coach and an assistant coach, a couple of -managers, a trainer, an assistant trainer and two -rubbers.</p> - -<p>“Guess the Principal must be ill,” said Beech -dryly. “I don’t see him anywhere.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe he’s one of the cheer leaders,” suggested -Sid. “Those are sure some gaudy togs of theirs!”</p> - -<p>Sid had reference to the enemy’s orange sweaters -and orange-and-black-ringed stockings.</p> - -<p>“Princeton colors,” said Beech. “Doubtless -showing a predilection for that university on the -part of our noble opponent.”</p> - -<p>“How do you get that way?” inquired Sid slangily. -“Brown and Young’s fellows don’t go to -Princeton.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t they?” asked Toby innocently. “Where -do they go?”</p> - -<p>“Into professional baseball,” answered Sid in -triumph.</p> - -<p>Beech grinned approval of the bon mot, but said -that he didn’t believe there was room in professional<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_175"></a>[175]</span> -baseball for them all. Sid didn’t argue the matter, -for Yardley trotted around the corner of the stand -just then and the cheer leaders were bellowing for -“A regular Yardley cheer, fellows, for the Team!”</p> - -<p>After that, with four elevens warming up on the -gridiron, there was too much to watch for conversation -to flourish. Instead, the talk ran something -like this: “Noyes is driving the scrubs.”—“Simpson’s -back at center, Cap.”—“Gee, that was some -punt! Wonder if they can do that in the game!”—“Oh, -you Ted Halliday!”—“Look at the size of -that guy, will you? Must be their center.”—“Right -guard. He’d make two of Casement!”—“Those -chaps have got a heap of pep, haven’t they?”—“How’re -you betting, Cap?”—“Watch that yellow-leg -kicking goals down there, fellows! He hasn’t -missed one yet!”—“Hello, Andy! Who’s going to -win?”—“Who’s the little chap in the gray sweater?”—“Cornish, -of Trinity. He’s umpiring. He’s -good, too.”—“Those fellows can cheer, can’t they? -Rotten name for a school, though; Brown and -Young’s. Sounds like they were advertising a department -store!”—“Must be most time to start. -Three minutes of? There goes Fanning now. Is -that the referee with him?”—“Good-looking guy, -that Brown and Young’s captain.”—“Fan lost the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_176"></a>[176]</span> -toss! Sure he did! What? Oh, that’s different! -Still, I don’t see——”—“Every one up! Bust -yourself, Toby! Rah! Rah! Rah!——”</p> - -<p>Then, when the rival cheers had floated off across -the river and the gold-and-russet marshes beyond, -the stands became momentarily silent and the -referee’s voice sounded clearly: “All ready, Brown -and Young?—Ready, Yardley?” Then the -whistle piped and a tall yellow-sleeved tackle swung -a striped leg and sent the new ball hurtling down -the field.</p> - -<p>It was a long, high kick, and well-placed, and -when Snowden had gathered it into his arms and -doubled himself over it the enemy was almost on -him. A scant eight yards he made, by dint of much -twisting and feinting, and then he was pulled down. -Yardley made one stab at the opponent’s left and -gained two. Then the ball went back to Snowden -and was hurled well up the field to the left. Roover -was quite alone when it reached him, and he trailed -off a dozen yards before he was forced outside. The -play had caught the enemy napping, and it had suddenly -moved the game from Yardley to Brown and -Young’s territory, for when the ball was paced in -and grounded it lay just short of the enemy’s forty -yards. The Blue’s cohorts cheered and shouted and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_177"></a>[177]</span> -waved, while, from across the field, came a snappy, -undismayed cheer from the Orange-and-Black.</p> - -<p>Another slight gain outside left tackle, and again -the pigskin shot back to Snowden. This time the -big full-back started off toward his right as if he -meant to turn the end, but, challenged, he threw a -lateral to Arnold Deering, and Arnold, behind good -interference, raced to the adversary’s twenty-eight -before he was set on savagely and tumbled head -over heels. Fortunately he held tight to the ball. -The Yardley stand was in an uproar of triumph -and delight. Dismay showed in the ranks of the -enemy. Toby saw the Brown and Young’s quarter, -a spindly, nervous-mannered youth, look back -apprehensively at the goal-posts as he retreated up -the field yelling strident encouragement to his fellows. -Toby felt a certain sympathy with that quarter-back, -enemy or no enemy. Toby had experienced -similar apprehension.</p> - -<p>Brown and Young’s looked pitifully weak during -the next few minutes. Her opponent’s success had -upset her calculations and the suddenness of events -had left her gasping and rattled. From the twenty-eight -yards Roover carried the ball in two plunges -through the Orange’s left to a position opposite the -goal and twenty-one yards away from it. Then<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_178"></a>[178]</span> -kicking formation was called and Fanning dropped -out of the line, his place being taken by Roover. -Brown and Young’s shouted warnings against a -fake, but the cry of “Block that kick!” mingled with -them. Captain Fanning stretched his hands forth, -Curran piped his signals, the ball left Simpson——</p> - -<p>Confusion reigned! Cries filled the air! Yardley -swept forward! But where was the ball? Fanning’s -right leg swung against nothing. Deering -was running off to the left, chased by an orange-sleeved -end and Brown and Young’s forwards were -piling through. But no one, it seemed, had the ball! -And then, out of the ruck of confusion, shot a flash -of blue that, seen dimly between the heaving forms -of friend and foe, resolved into the likeness of Curran! -Straight ahead leaped the quarter-back, -straight at the center of the goal. For five yards -he slipped unchallenged through the very storm center -of the battle. Then the ruse was discovered and -the Orange hurled her defenses upon him. But -friend as well as enemy was about him now, and not -until the ten-yard line was underfoot was he tackled. -Then, fighting hard, he dragged on for three more -strides, faltered, was borne back and went down -under an avalanche of enemy forms.</p> - -<p>“The old delayed pass!” cried Grover Beech almost<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_179"></a>[179]</span> -tearfully in his joy. “And they fell for it!”</p> - -<p>Eight yards to go! Desperately, while the tumult -still reigned, Brown and Young’s lined up under -the shadow of her goal. That she could stop the -enemy now was too much to hope, nor did she, -though she battled fiercely. Deering was launched -ahead for two yards and Roover made two more. -The shouting had almost ceased from the stands -and the Brown and Young’s quarter could be heard -imploring the team to “Hold ’em fellows! Throw -’em back! Get low! Get low! Hold ’em!” And -with his voice came a medley of others and, sharp, -stabbing, through them all, the musketry of Curran’s -signals. Then a sudden heaving of both tense -lines, a concentration of the whole Yardley back-field -on the enemy center, a slow yielding there and, -finally, a break, with Snowden, the ball hugged -to his stomach, arching over and through on a sea -of squirming figures!</p> - -<p>Well over the last line lay the pigskin, a foot to -spare! And as Yardley trotted back, swinging -headguards, cavorting a little, and Brown and -Young’s lined up sullenly beneath the cross-bar, Sid -Creel laid his head in Toby’s lap, kicked Beech lovingly -on the shins and murmured rapturously: -“From our twenty yards to their goal in nine plays!<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_180"></a>[180]</span> -Eighty yards in eight minutes! O Brown, where is -thy victory! O Young, where is thy sting!”</p> - -<p>Fanning kicked an easy goal and again Brown -and Young’s sent the ball from the tee. There was -a breathless moment while Arnold Deering juggled -the catch and then a clever advance of nearly -twenty yards through half the enemy team. Two -attempts at the line netted but three, and Yardley -made her first punt. And for the first time since -the game began Brown and Young’s had the ball in -her possession. But disruption was still evident, -and the whistle sounding the end of the first period -came as a welcome of relief to the visitors.</p> - -<p>When play was resumed the Orange showed her -possibilities, for, although Yardley stopped her midway -between center line and goal and, having -adopted defensive tactics for the time, kicked -again on second down, Brown and Young’s came -back with ever increasing determination.</p> - -<p>The Orange used a clever and often disconcerting -combination of straight, old-style line-bucking -and wide end-running with a remarkably efficient -protection for the man with the ball. She had a bewildering -number of back-field combinations, apparently -chiefly designed to confuse the opponent. -The fact that line-attacks and end-runs were sent<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_181"></a>[181]</span> -off from the same close-up formation of the backs -made it hard for Yardley to guess which was coming. -In fact, the Brown and Young’s system of -plays was well calculated to keep the enemy on the -anxious seat, and just so long as her line continued -fairly impregnable she was bound to make gains. -So far she had attempted no forward-passing, and -her kicking game was still an unknown quantity. -Her plan appeared to be to hold the ball as long -as she could, making the opponent wrest it from -her in the scrimmage.</p> - -<p>As the second quarter progressed her attacks became -fiercer and her resistance more stubborn. Her -men played well together, and, although a few stood -out above the rest in ability, individual effort was -subordinated to teamwork. It was teamwork that -made possible her running game, for every man -had a duty and performed it, and not once in that -period was Yardley able to reach the man with the -ball until he had at least crossed the scrimmage -line, and more often he had a substantial gain to -his credit before the Blue’s secondary defense -stopped him. It was principally the fact that, once -inside the thirty yards, Brown and Young’s abandoned -end-running for line-plugging that Yardley’s -goal remained intact in that first half. Twice Yardley<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_182"></a>[182]</span> -took the ball away from her inside the twenty-yard -line and punted out of danger, and twice the -Orange hammered or scuttled her way back again, -the whistle halting a march that seemed destined -to bring a touchdown.</p> - -<p>“That seven points doesn’t look as safe as it did -awhile back,” said Grover Beech as the rival squads -trailed off to the gymnasium. “Considering the -way those lads played in the last quarter, I’d say -we were mighty lucky to get it!”</p> - -<p>“You’re dead right,” agreed Sid Creel. “They’ve -got it all over us on team-play. They move like -a regular machine. Those end-runs of theirs are -the slickest things I’ve seen in an age, and if we -don’t find some way of stopping them we’ll get -licked as sure as shooting!”</p> - -<p>“There’s just one way to stop them,” said Toby. -“That’s to play our ends further out and bring a -back into the line.”</p> - -<p>“Then they’d cut inside the end,” said Sid. -“That’s old-stuff, sonny. Pull the opposing end out -and then shoot the plays inside him.”</p> - -<p>“But with a half-back there——”</p> - -<p>“The trouble is,” said Beech, “you can’t guess -when they’re coming. Half a dozen times I doped -it out that they were going to smash the line and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_183"></a>[183]</span> -they just fooled me. There’s nothing to give you -a hint. I could see Tom Fanning getting goggle-eyed -trying to size up what was coming. Usually -there’s something to give the snap away: a back -drops a foot or two further back or to one side, or -he faces a bit the way the play’s going without -meaning to, or you get a hint from the signal. But -these chaps are foxy.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t believe they’ve got anything on us as -far as their line goes,” said Sid.</p> - -<p>“The only thing they’ve got on us is smoother -playing,” declared Beech. “They’re playing end-of-season -football and we’re playing what we’ve -learned and no more.”</p> - -<p>“Well, how do they get that way?” growled Sid.</p> - -<p>“They go at it harder, I guess. They tell me -that that coach of theirs gets ten thousand a year.”</p> - -<p>“Ten thousand dollars!” ejaculated Toby.</p> - -<p>“No, eggs,” replied Sid sarcastically. “Well, -why not? If he can teach a team to play like that -by midseason he’s worth it.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe,” agreed Beech. “If you’re running that -kind of a school. But the best college football coach -doesn’t get any more, and——”</p> - -<p>“They say Brown and Young’s has an enrollment -this fall of nearly seven hundred, and it’s only three<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_184"></a>[184]</span> -or four years old,” said Sid. “So I guess they can -afford to pay a real salary to the coach. And I -guess it pays them to afford it. Wonder, though, -how much the Principal gets!”</p> - -<p>“Oh, the Principal isn’t important,” observed -Toby. “I dare say he just gets his room and meals -and stationery, the poor fish! He ought to take -a tumble to himself and study football. I had a -sort of an idea I might be a railroad president or -own a bank, or something modest like that, but I’ve -changed my mind. I’m going to be a football -coach. It pays better and the hours are shorter.”</p> - -<p>“But think of the responsibility,” chuckled Beech. -“Wealth isn’t everything, Tucker.”</p> - -<p>“Say, do these yellow-legs play Broadwood?” -demanded Sid.</p> - -<p>“No, I don’t believe so. They never have,” replied -Beech.</p> - -<p>“Too bad. I wish they would. We’d get a dandy -line on Broadwood.”</p> - -<p>“And Broadwood would get a dandy line on us. -Don’t see that it would help much. Well, here they -come again. No, it’s our fellows. Get onto your -job, Fless!”</p> - -<p>The cheer leader gave a startled look over his -shoulder, grabbed his big blue megaphone and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_185"></a>[185]</span> -jumped to his feet. “Come on, Yardley! Every -one up! Regular cheer, with nine ‘Yardleys!’ One! -Two!——”</p> - -<p>The only change in the Blue’s line-up at the beginning -of the third period was at left end, where -Meadows had displaced Sandford. The Orange -team returned intact. Yardley brought renewed -joy to her supporters in the first few minutes by -two long gains, one by means of a forward-pass and -one by means of a seventeen-yard run by Deering, -that took her well into Brown and Young’s territory. -But after that the Orange refused to give and -the ball changed hands on her twenty-seven yards. -That Coach Lyle had tried hard to solve the enemy’s -running game was evident on the occasion of the -latter’s first attempt to gain around Yardley’s left. -Instead of trying to get through the enemy’s excellent -interference at once, Yardley adopted waiting -tactics. So long as the man with the ball kept on -toward the side-line the Blue was content to let him -alone, and the surprising and even amusing spectacle -of fully half of each team streaking in parallel -courses across the field resulted. By these tactics -Yardley gained an advantage. Whereas before she -had plunged blindly at the Orange’s interference, -often not knowing where the ball was, she now had<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_186"></a>[186]</span> -time to size up the situation and bend every energy -toward the runner. Brown and Young’s play -brought the whole back-field out laterally, the runner -carrying the ball, either a half or the full-back, -well guarded by three interferers, to whom, once -having diverted the opponent’s charge toward the -center, was added an end and tackle who formed -what was virtually a rear guard. To be successful, -however, the play demanded that the opposing defense -be drawn through soon after it had started, -the interference engaging it and the man with the -ball shooting free at the last moment and turning -in. So as long as the opponent did not challenge, -the Orange formation continued on in a lateral -direction until, for a moment, it seemed that it -would simply continue across the side-line and into -the stand! Eventually, however, the runner saw -the futility of further waiting and took the law into -his own hands in a desperate effort to save the play. -But as he had to drop back to let his interference -pass before he could turn in he was very promptly -nailed and the Orange netted a six-yard loss. But -of course it didn’t work out so well for Yardley the -next time, for the Orange changed her tactics and -shot the runner in at the first opportunity. Nevertheless, -the play lost most of its effectiveness and,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_187"></a>[187]</span> -toward the end of the contest, was entirely ignored.</p> - -<p>In that third period the honors were fairly even, -with each team gaining two first downs and neither -penetrating nearer to her opponent’s goal than the -twenty-seven-yard line. Brown and Young’s punters -showed themselves fully equal to either Roover -or Snowden and the rival lines exhibited a similar -strength against attack. Perhaps the Orange’s superiority, -if she showed any, was in her aggressiveness, -although it brought no returns so far as scoring -was concerned. Each team in the period might -have attempted a field-goal but chose to stand or fall -on rushing. The seven points scored to the credit -of Yardley had regained something of their original -value when time was called for the quarter, -although Brown and Young’s rooters were still -hopeful and, across the field, there were many -anxious hearts.</p> - -<p>Of the sort of playing with which the visitors had -been accused, none had been seen. To be sure, the -Orange players played hard and fierce, and when -they tackled the runner always stayed where he was -put, but nothing mean nor underhand had appeared. -They did a lot of talking across the line, and some -of their remarks were not in the best taste, but many<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_188"></a>[188]</span> -of Yardley’s opponents were what the fellows called -“gabby” and the Blue was used to verbal attack.</p> - -<p>Play started in the final period with the pigskin in -Yardley’s possession on her opponent’s forty-four -yards. Candee had taken Simpson’s place at center -and Twining had substituted Rose at left guard. -On the opposing team two changes in the line and -one in the back-field had been made. Deering -plugged through the Orange left for a short gain -and Roover got outside tackle for two yards. Curran -threw to Meadows, who missed the pass, and -Roover punted. An Orange back cut through the -Yardley field for nearly twenty yards after catching -and the ball was on Brown and Young’s forty-one. -It was then that the visitors opened their bag of -tricks.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_189"></a>[189]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI<br /> -<small>TUBB WINS PROMOTION</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">First, the Orange changed her back-field formation -entirely. Instead of standing close -to the line, three abreast, the two halves and -the full-back retired to a position a good ten yards -behind the scrimmage and spread widely. The -quarter stood five yards behind center, crouched to -take the pass. The right tackle shifted to the other -side of the line, toward which, at the start of the signal, -the three backs made a quarter-turn. But as -the ball went back to the quarter the three swung to -the right and started diagonally toward the end of -their line, left half and full aiming at a point just -outside it and right half deploying further to the -right. At the same moment the right end began -sprinting straight toward the side-line, drawing -the Yardley left tackle and a defensive back with -him.</p> - -<p>Having taken the ball from center, the quarter-back<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_190"></a>[190]</span> -started also to the right, running parallel to the -line until, left half and full having crossed in front -of him, he was behind right end’s original position. -There he slowed and shot the pigskin away at a lateral -pass to the right half. The throw was some -fifteen yards and perfectly made, and the right half, -as yet unmolested, had no difficulty in getting it. -Whereupon he set forth on his adventures, heading -straight along the side-line and about twelve yards -away from it. The opposing end had been blanketed -by the full-back and it was not until the runner -crossed the line of scrimmage that serious opposition -to his advance developed. And then, with his -own end and left half guarding his flank and the -quarter making trouble for the rear attack, he proceeded -brilliantly across the middle of the field and -set his eyes on the goal.</p> - -<p>Yardley, suspecting something unusual and spectacular, -had played her ends back and out and deployed -three backs up the field. Halliday, at right -end, had been rudely set aside, and it was Curran -and Roover on whom the task of stopping the runner -devolved. Roover, nearer at hand, did his best -to get past the interference but failed, although in -failing he upset the Brown and Young’s full-back. -By now the whole field was in pursuit, with, however,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_191"></a>[191]</span> -most of it hopelessly out of the race. Yet -Casement, who for a guard was remarkably fast on -his feet, somehow managed to get to the fore and -sent the Orange quarter-back spinning aside, after -which he put out for the runner. But Curran was -the man for the job.</p> - -<p>Slowing as he neared the prey, he feinted as -though to pass behind the Orange left half who was -running about three yards inside the man with the -ball. The half, guessing that the enemy would do -the thing he appeared not to be doing, ran on, and -Curran, leaping forward, circled behind him. And, -although the half challenged, throwing himself between -Curran and his team-mate, Curran managed -somehow to meet the impact and, carried forward -by his own momentum, seized one Yellow-and-Black -leg ere it twinkled beyond his reach. The man with -the ball added another yard to his gain, dragging -Curran with him, but that weight was not to be -denied and he came to his knees. Then Casement -flattened him out, friend and foe labored breathlessly -up and the whistle blew.</p> - -<p>Brown and Young’s had made a gain of nearly -thirty yards, for when the ball had been wrested -from the tenacious grip of the Orange right half-back -it went down just short of Yardley’s thirty-yard<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_192"></a>[192]</span> -line. Orange-hued banners waved wildly on -the east stand while Yardley gave a well-deserved -cheer for the rival half-back.</p> - -<p>Brown and Young’s had her eyes on the goal-line -now and it seemed that she was not to be denied. -Twice she hurled her full-back through for short -gains at left guard, and then, using the new formation -again, worked as pretty a quarter-back run -around her left end as had ever been seen on Yardley -Field. With the ball on the seventeen yards, she -tried the line once more and split through for half -the needed distance, the Blue’s left crumpling badly. -Twining took the place of Rose, and another attempt -on the left gained a scant yard. With four -to go on third down, Brown and Young’s made all -preparations for a place-kick, and a big, long-legged -tackle ranged back to position. Yet Yardley refused -to believe in that kick. The Orange needed -seven points to tie, and it wasn’t likely that, with -only a short time left, she would satisfy herself with -a mere three points. And so, although everything -pointed to a kick from placement, Fanning and Curran -sounded their warnings and the backs hovered -anxiously midway between line and goal. Then, -at last, the ball sped back.</p> - -<p>But it never reached the outstretched hands of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_193"></a>[193]</span> -the tackle. Instead, it went to a half-back and, as -the Blue’s forwards desperately broke through, the -half poised the pigskin calmly until Casement was -almost on him and then as calmly sped it over the -mêlée diagonally into the waiting arms of his right -end. And that youth had but to take two strides to -cross the last white line. When he was pulled down -he was almost behind the right goal post.</p> - -<p>How that end got into position for receiving the -pass unnoticed none on the Yardley team ever knew. -One moment he wasn’t there and the next moment -he was. Halliday and Deering, theoretically at -least, shared the blame, although, as Fanning generously -said afterwards, a forward-pass was the -last thing expected. Not once before had the enemy -attempted a forward from ordinary formation, and -unconsciously Yardley had grown to think that that -play was not included in her plan of battle. As it -was, Arnold had seen the ball hurtling toward the -corner of the field and had leaped forward with a -sick feeling at his heart. But he had been a fraction -of a moment too late. The end had made the catch -ere Arnold reached him, and although Arnold -threw desperate arms toward him the end eluded -them and went free until Curran pulled him to -earth.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_194"></a>[194]</span></p> - -<p>Brown and Young’s walked the ball out and, although -the angle was sufficient to allow Yardley to -hope for failure, the big tackle sent it squarely between -the posts and the score was tied.</p> - -<p>With less than four minutes left, it was fairly -obvious that 7 to 7 would be the final score, but -Yardley, with three new men in her line-up, still -hoped and returned eagerly to the fray. The kick-off -went to the Orange’s twelve yards and came -back only to her fifteen. A skin-tackle on her right -brought her three yards and a second attempt was -stopped. For the first time since the game had -started the Orange players became ugly. Many -changes had been made, and possibly it was a substitute -who, charging through, tried to “mix it up” -with Bates, who had succeeded Deering. Friends -of both players sprang between and the Orange -youth got off with a warning from the referee. -There were a few hisses, many “boos” and some -laughter from the stands. Possibly the incident -supplied the added incentive that allowed Yardley -to break through a moment later and block the adversary’s -kick. The ball bounded from the up-thrown -arm of a Yardley lineman and became lost -in a mass of struggling players and for a long moment -confusion reigned. When the referee finally<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_195"></a>[195]</span> -penetrated to the bottom of the squirming, grunting -pile he found the ball snuggled in the arms of -a Yardley forward. The Blue cheered wildly and -implored a touchdown as the result became known -to the stands, and, since the teams lined up on the -Orange’s fourteen yards, a touchdown looked possible -enough.</p> - -<p>But the Blue’s first play resulted disastrously. -Clarke, who had taken Halliday’s place at the right -end of the line, was far offside when the ball was -snapped and the team was set back. A plunge at -guard-tackle hole on the left gave Yardley four -yards, and Snowden, from kick formation, managed -two more around right end. Then, however, -a forward-pass, Snowden to Bates, went wrong and -Fanning dropped back for a try-at-goal. While -both stands grew silent, Will Curran patted the -ground and poised himself on his knees for the pass -from center. The position was at a slight angle and -the distance was less than twenty yards and the -Blue already saw victory perched upon her banner. -But Brown and Young’s was desperate and Yardley, -perhaps, oversure, and when the ball came back -to Curran so, too, came half the Orange team, and, -although Fanning met the poised ball fairly, it was -still breast-high when the enemy reached it. There<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_196"></a>[196]</span> -was a tragic <em>thud</em> as it rebounded from an onrushing -player, followed by cries and the pounding of -many feet as friend and foe took up the chase. The -pursuit passed over Curran like a wave, leaving him -writhing on the sod.</p> - -<p>Back to the thirty-yard line trickled the pigskin, -and there a Brown and Young’s tackle scooped it -up from under the nose of half a dozen others and -sprang away toward the distant Yardley goal. But -although he started with a clear field, and although -hastily-formed interference grouped itself about -him, he was in no condition for speed, and near the -middle of the field Bates, eluding the interference, -pulled him to earth.</p> - -<p>Time was taken out for Curran and he limped -off, Noyes taking his place. From midfield, using -every trick she knew, the Orange began a slow advance -toward the Blue’s goal. Yardley fought hard -but was forced to yield. Both teams were pretty -well tuckered and after each play substitutes flocked -in, and with their arrival the game became more -erratic. Penalties were dealt to each side fairly -impartially, signals were misunderstood and the -play became slower and slower, and at last, with -the ball still in Brown and Young’s possession near<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_197"></a>[197]</span> -the home team’s thirty yards, the whistle sounded -the end of the battle.</p> - -<p>As unsatisfactory as the outcome was, the teams -parted with mutual respect, and when Brown and -Young’s supporters formed into ranks and marched -off the field, cheering mightily, the Blue’s partisans -had no criticism to make. As Grover Beech -put it, as he and Toby and Sid climbed over the -barriers and joined the throng beyond, Brown and -Young’s had played a hard, clean game and, on her -showing in the last half, had deserved a victory.</p> - -<p>“Which,” observed Sid Creel dryly, “I am -pleased to say she didn’t get!”</p> - -<p>The Brown and Young’s contest ended Yardley’s -preliminary season. Four games remained, those -with Carrel’s, Nordham, St. John’s, and Broadwood. -Two of these, the Carrel’s and St. John’s -games were to be played away from home. All -were looked on as hard battles, although it might -well be that none would prove harder than the contest -just played. Brown and Young’s had been underestimated, -and it was certain that another year -her place on the Yardley schedule would be much -further along. Still, there were no regrets over -that game. Yardley had showed her faults in time -to allow the proper remedies to take effect, all of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_198"></a>[198]</span> -her players had come through the grilling without -serious damage and several second and third string -players had found the opportunity to show ability. -Will Curran’s injury was slight, it seemed, and he -would be out of the game but a few days. Some -over-eager Brown and Young’s man had trampled -over his prostrate form and placed a heavy foot -against his knee, but treatment and an elastic bandage -would repair the damage. On the whole, Yardley -Hall School, coach, players and noncombatants, -were rather well satisfied with the recent engagement, -and there was a general verdict to the effect -that the Blue had been extremely fortunate to get -through it without a beating.</p> - -<p>Arnold was somewhat downhearted for a day -or two, maintaining sadly that the Orange’s score -could be blamed on him, and relating the incident -in appalling detail to Toby until the latter youth -begged him to forget it. “No one else expected a -forward-pass then,” said Toby, “so why should you -have looked for one? Besides, it was up to Ted -Halliday as much as to you. Cheer up and ease -your face, Arn. You still have me to live for!”</p> - -<p>The final argument didn’t seem to make any great -appeal to Arnold at the moment, but by Monday, -after a light session on the gridiron, he returned to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_199"></a>[199]</span> -his wonted cheerfulness. That Monday witnessed -what, to Toby at least, was a most surprising event. -He learned of it after practice when, returning to -Number 12, he found Arnold there before him.</p> - -<p>“I suppose you know about the new end we’ve -acquired,” said Arnold, smiling broadly.</p> - -<p>“End? No, what do you mean?”</p> - -<p>“What! You haven’t missed him? Such is -fame! Ain’t it sad?”</p> - -<p>“What are you jabbering about?” Toby relaxed -on the window-seat with a sigh of weariness. -“Who haven’t I missed?”</p> - -<p>“Why, your bosom friend, Mr. Tubbs, of course.”</p> - -<p>“Tubb? What about Tubb?” asked Toby suspiciously.</p> - -<p>“Then you don’t know! You haven’t heard the -glad and glorious news!”</p> - -<p>“I have not, but if Tubb has fallen down and bitten -his tongue——”</p> - -<p>“Nary a fall down, old thing! Instead, Mr. -Tubbs—or is it Tubb? Anyway, whatever his -poetic name may be, he has landed on his feet.”</p> - -<p>“Has he?” Toby sounded bored and indifferent. -“Well, he’s been in the air long enough! In just -what manner, Mr. Bones, has the gentleman landed -on his feet? Whenever you consider that the suspense<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_200"></a>[200]</span> -has lasted long enough, Arn, you have my -permission to shoot!”</p> - -<p>“Prepare to faint, T. Tucker! Your friend -Tubbs has been ruthlessly torn from your arms! -He’s taken over to the First!”</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_201"></a>[201]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII<br /> -<small>AN “ACCIDENT”</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">A sense of duty is sometimes a most inconvenient -thing to possess. That Monday -night it was a sense of duty that sent -Toby up to Number 31, and he went laggingly, -feeling very certain that George Tubb would be -more objectionable than ever. Tubb was not, Toby -thought, of the kind who stands prosperity well. -Tubb would be quite unbearable to-night: Toby -could imagine him growling “Huh, I’d have made -the First Team long ago if I’d had the ‘pull’ some -fellows have!” But Toby felt that to an extent he -was responsible for Tubb’s well-being, having in a -manner started him out of his Slough of Despond, -and that it was up to him to congratulate the other -on his good fortune.</p> - -<p>The scene that met his eyes when he pushed the -door open in response to an invitation to enter was -very unlike that upon which he had gazed on the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_202"></a>[202]</span> -occasion of his first visit to Number 31. Tubb and -Ramsey were shoulder to shoulder, Tubb seated and -his roommate bending over the table beside him, -evidently elucidating some problem contained in the -textbook that lay open before them. To all appearances -perfect amity reigned now in Number 31! -Nor was that the only surprise awaiting Toby. -George Tubb was still George Tubb, and probably -he would never be anything else, but instead of -“grouching” because Fortune had not visited him -earlier, or predicting the great things that were to -happen by reason of his elevation to the First, he -seemed loath to talk of the matter, accepting the -visitor’s congratulation with a frown and a muttered—and -vague—“Oh, well, I don’t know. I suppose -it’s all right.” After that he appeared to prefer -other topics of conversation, although Toby -nevertheless had the impression that the matter was -in his thoughts most of the time.</p> - -<p>The problem in geometry that had puzzled Tubb -proved a diversion and Toby was able to supply -the needed assistance, rather to his surprise since -of late he had begun to fear that he had forgotten -most of what he had learned during the preceding -year! After that they talked of various subjects, -football most of all. Tubb was ready to talk football<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_203"></a>[203]</span> -so long as it was general, and he had a number -of criticisms to make of last Saturday’s contest. -With some of them Toby didn’t agree, and arguments -followed, and Toby discovered that Tubb -could think things out clearly and state his results -quite convincingly when he wanted to. Horace -Ramsey maneuvered the talk around to tennis finally -and asked Toby’s advice about trying for the -Tennis Team.</p> - -<p>“I didn’t do so badly in the handicaps last week,” -he explained. “Got as far as the semi-finals, anyway. -Beat two or three fellows who are considered -rather good, too. How do you set about making -the Team, Tucker?”</p> - -<p>Toby didn’t know and said so, but he promised -to find out and let Ramsey know, and after that he -took his departure. Both boys, without saying so -in words, managed to convey to him the impression -that they had enjoyed his visit and wanted him to -come again. He went downstairs feeling very well -pleased with himself for having performed a disagreeable -duty and a little surprised at finding that -it hadn’t been disagreeable after all! “I guess,” he -told himself as he clattered down the stairs, “a -good many disagreeable things are like that. You -think they’re a lot worse than they are.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_204"></a>[204]</span></p> - -<p>The First Team paid a good deal of attention to -defense that week, a branch of football science that -had been somewhat neglected by Coach Lyle in favor -of attack, and the Second was called on four -afternoons to aid, the big team working, contrary -to custom, quite as hard on Friday as on any other -day. It was on Wednesday that Toby had his first -chance to see Tubb in action with the First. Tubb -made his entry in the middle of a very strenuous -second half, relieving Meadows. Sandford, who had -started the season at left end, appeared to be out of -the running. Tubb did well. Toby was rather -amazed at the boy’s playing, and his respect for -Grover Beech as a judge of football talent went up -a peg. Beech had called Tubb “a natural-born -end,” and, while Toby had little intimate knowledge -of end playing, he thought that Beech had been -quite right. Tubb acted as if he had played football -for several seasons. He appeared to have unlimited -confidence—in fact, his confidence looked -almost like effrontery at times—and absolutely no -physical fear, hurling himself into every play he -could reach regardless of consequences. He had a -way of keeping in motion every minute while in the -line-up that, although it was rather wearisome to -the spectator, kept his adversary in wholesome fear.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_205"></a>[205]</span> -And he could run like a ferret, too, and although he -still missed tackles rather too frequently, he proved -a thorn in the side of Toby and his team-mates -when catching punts. Somehow, Tubb was always -on hand when the ball had dropped into Toby’s -arms, and if Toby squirmed himself free more than -once it was only because Tubb had yet something -to learn of the gentle art of tackling. Toby found -himself a bit proud of George Tubb, quite as though -he was personally accountable for that youth’s attainments!</p> - -<p>The Second went through some gruelling work -that week, for the most part assaulting the First’s -defenses with every art and artifice at her command. -Time and again the ball was taken away from the -First and handed back to the Second, the coaches -demanding that she put it over, every one, as it -seemed, conniving at the First Team’s humiliation. -Perhaps once during a game the First was allowed -to show her prowess in attack, and the rest of the -time she was back to the wall with the Second banging -at her center, jabbing her tackles, skirting her -ends, trying every possible means to penetrate her -defenses. The result showed before the end of the -week arrived. The First developed a savage, bitter, -every-hand-against-me attitude that worked wonders.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_206"></a>[206]</span> -On Thursday she was thrice set her five -yards and told to hold the opponent, and twice she -did it, which, considering that both coaches egged -on the Second and tried every device they could -think of to make her attack more effective, was none -so bad. Even on Friday, with a hard game against -Carrel’s School looming up on the morrow, the -First was hammered and banged about by the Second, -which, having come in for a good many hard -knocks and much rough usage, was in none too -gentle a mood. It was on Friday that an incident -occurred which, unimportant in itself, led to -strange results.</p> - -<p>Frick was playing quarter on the Second and -Tubb had taken the place of an exhausted Meadows -at left end on the First. First, unable to gain her -distance in three downs in midfield, punted and the -ball fell to Frick in front of Second’s goal. Both -Tubb and Halliday had got free and were well under -the ball as it arched down the field, but Halliday -fell victim to Deering, leaving Tubb to look after -Frick alone. Frick made the catch a moment before -Tubb arrived on the scene and set off to his -right in the hope of skirting the enemy pouring -down the middle of the field. Tubb gave chase, running -him off. Frick feinted but Tubb wasn’t fooled.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_207"></a>[207]</span> -Had the quarter-back been able to get free soon -after making the catch he might have reeled off a -good gain, for the gridiron to his right was practically -unguarded, but Tubb had him so well blocked -that there was no getting by and it was only when -the side-line came dangerously near that Frick made -a despairing effort to turn in. He pulled up suddenly -and tried to dash past Tubb, but the First -Team end was quicker than he was. Avoiding the -runner’s straight-arm, Tubb dived and, for once, -dived surely. He didn’t have to hold his man after -the tackle, for by that time he had plenty of help, -and Frick was speedily flattened out. On his feet -again, Frick was very angry indeed, and panted insults -and threats at Tubb’s retreating back until -Beech silenced him.</p> - -<p>Unaware that he had aroused Frick’s wrath, -Tubb trotted back to his position. Two savage -attacks on the First Team’s line netted but four -yards and then Stover punted. Tubb was spilled -trying to stop the opposing end and was climbing to -his feet when the Second’s stragglers streamed past. -Among them was Frick, for some reason later in -getting down the field than he should have been. -Only a few saw what happened as Frick reached -Tubb, for most eyes were fixed on Noyes as he got<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_208"></a>[208]</span> -under the ball. Toby, however, saw from where he -sat on the bench, for Frick’s performance was of -more interest to him than any one’s else, and just -now Toby was wondering why his rival was almost -the last in the pursuit. Tubb, in the act of raising -himself from the ground, did not see Frick’s approach, -nor, since he was unsuspecting, would he -have heeded it if he had seen it. Frick had set a -course that led him past the other, and now, as he -reached him, he swerved a pace and brought one -heavily-shod foot against Tubb’s ribs just under -the left shoulder. It was as deliberate a thing as -Toby had ever seen, and unconsciously he jumped -to his feet with an exclamation of disgust. Tubb, -supported at the moment on his left hand, dropped -instantly to the turf and rolled over on his back, -his legs drawn up in pain. Frick was already well -down the field. Toby and Lovett, a substitute end, -ran on together. Tubb was white-faced and gasping, -both hands clasped to his side.</p> - -<p>“Some one—kicked me,” he whispered. “I’ll be—all -right in a—minute.”</p> - -<p>“It was Frick,” exclaimed Lovett indignantly. -“I saw it. He ought to get chucked!”</p> - -<p>“Frick!” gasped Tubb wonderingly. “What—for?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_209"></a>[209]</span></p> - -<p>By that time Andy Ryan was there with pail and -sponge and Toby and Lovett went back to the -bench, the latter still sputtering.</p> - -<p>“He’s a poisonous pup, anyway, Tucker, and I -hope Tubb goes after him and gets him for that!”</p> - -<p>“Well, I wouldn’t say much about it,” counseled -Toby. “It’ll only make trouble. It’s between the -two of them now. Let them settle it.”</p> - -<p>“Sure, it isn’t my funeral,” Lovett agreed, -“though I don’t see why you’re so anxious about -Frick. If Mr. Burtis had seen it Frick would be -off for keeps, and you’d have quarter-back cinched, -Tucker.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I don’t want to cinch it that way, I guess. -Besides, it may have been an accident. I know it -didn’t look it, but——”</p> - -<p>“Accident your great-aunt!” jeered the other. -“Why, Frick went out of his way to do it! And -he sure took a chance. I’ll give him that much -credit. If any one but you and I had seen it—Good-night, -Mr. Frick!”</p> - -<p>“Guess he knew every one would be looking the -other way. Tubb’s up and Andy’s taking him off. -Hope he didn’t get a broken rib. That was a fierce -wallop he got!”</p> - -<p>“I’d hand Roy Frick a fierce wallop if it was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_210"></a>[210]</span> -me,” growled Lovett. “I’d hand him about two -dozen of ’em!”</p> - -<p>Tubb was helped into his sweater and sent back -to the gymnasium and the game went on. Since -Frick played the half out at quarter, Toby judged -that none had witnessed the incident save he and -Lovett. Toby forgot it later, for in the last fifteen-minute -half he went in on the Second and had his -hands and his mind too full of other things. But -that some one still remembered was evident when -Toby got back to his room after practice. George -Tubb had left a note.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Dear Tucker: If you have time will you come up -to my room a minute after supper? I want to see you -about something. G. W. T.</p></div> - -<p>Toby guessed what the something was and wondered -whether he was to be asked to bear a challenge -to Roy Frick! He rather wished that Tubb had -selected some one else to consult, but he went nevertheless, -climbing the second flight in Whitson as -soon after supper as he judged Tubb had returned -to Number 31. He found both Tubb and Ramsey -at home, but Horace went out after a few minutes, -possibly by request. Tubb, reflected Toby, was -quite a different looking boy from the one whose -cut lip he had plastered on the train that afternoon<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_211"></a>[211]</span> -some five weeks ago. For one thing, he looked a -deal cleaner! And he was rather more carefully -dressed. But the real change was deeper, Toby -thought. Tubb’s attitude toward his fellows and -his school life had undergone a change already, and -the end was not yet; and the fact was manifested -in his expression and his speech. Tubb had gained -in self-respect, Toby concluded. Physically, too, -he had altered, and for the better, for football work -had straightened his shoulders, made his flesh look -harder and his eyes clearer and removed the unhealthy -pallor from his face. On the whole, Toby -got quite a lot of satisfaction from his study of -George W. Tubb this evening.</p> - -<p>But it was a very serious Tubb who confronted -Toby when the door had closed behind Horace -Ramsey. There was very evidently something on -the Tubb mind. Toby waited in silence and after -a moment Tubb began. “That fellow with you this -afternoon—Lovett, wasn’t it?—said it was Frick -who kicked me in the side. Did you see him do it, -Tucker?”</p> - -<p>“Why—well, yes, I did, Tubb. Of course it was -probably an accident——”</p> - -<p>“How could it have been?” Tubb’s old scowl returned -for an instant. “He had the whole field,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_212"></a>[212]</span> -didn’t he? He needn’t have run over me! No, I -guess what happened was that he got mad because -I stopped him from running the punt back that -time. I guess he’s got a bad temper, Frick. Well, -anyway, what I wanted to ask you is this. What’s -the right way to go after him? They say faculty -won’t stand for fighting, but of course a fellow’s got -to pull a scrap sometimes. I’m going to get Frick -for this, but I don’t want to get fired, you see. He -isn’t worth it.”</p> - -<p>“Of course he isn’t,” agreed Toby heartily. “And -I’m afraid you would get—well, maybe not fired, -Tubb, but put on probation at least if faculty found -out.”</p> - -<p>“And probation would lose me my place on the -team, wouldn’t it? That’s what I supposed. Well, -then, how would you go about it, Tucker? So as -not to be nabbed, I mean.”</p> - -<p>“Why, I don’t know. Why not—well, why not -forget it, Tubb? After all a fellow who does things -like that harms himself more than he does any one -else, and——”</p> - -<p>“Yah!” interrupted Tubb rudely. “Sunday -school stuff, Tucker! I’ll bet you wouldn’t talk that -way if it was you who had half a dozen sore ribs -some guy had given you!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_213"></a>[213]</span></p> - -<p>“Well, maybe I wouldn’t,” granted Toby, “but -I’d hesitate a long time before I’d risk probation -for the sake of fighting him! And that’s what -you’d better do.”</p> - -<p>“Listen here, Tucker,” replied the other earnestly. -“I’m going to get even with that fellow. I -didn’t give him any cause to kick my ribs in. Even -if I had, he’d no right to do it when I was down -like that. What I want to know is how you fight -a fellow here. I guess there are fights: I never -heard of a school where they didn’t pull ’em off now -and then.” Tubb viewed Toby hopefully.</p> - -<p>“Maybe there are,” said Toby, “but I’ve never -seen one. I suppose fellows get off by themselves -somewhere sometimes,” he continued vaguely. “But -if faculty hears of it——”</p> - -<p>“Have to risk that,” said Tubb, more cheerfully. -He was silent a moment. Then: “Of course what -I wanted to do was wait around at the gym this -afternoon and hand him a few, but I had a hunch -that Lyle or some one would be there and get -peeved. So I didn’t. Then this evening I caught -him grinning at me in commons once. That grin’s -going to cost him something, believe me, Tucker!”</p> - -<p>“But look here, Tubb,” said Toby practically, -“Frick’s two years older than you, I guess, and he’s<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_214"></a>[214]</span> -bigger and heavier, and fellows say he’s a scrapper. -I don’t know how good you are, but——” Toby -cast a dubious glance over the other’s rather meager -frame—“it’s something to think about, isn’t it?”</p> - -<p>“How long did you think about it when Frick got -gay with you down at the field the other day?” -asked Tubb, with a twinkle in his eye.</p> - -<p>“Not at all,” answered Toby, smiling. “But -then, there wasn’t time!”</p> - -<p>“Huh! Well, don’t you worry about me, Tucker. -I can handle that big bully. I’ve had to scrap all -my life, pretty near, and I know the tricks. Besides, -I’ve got right on my side, ain’t—haven’t I? -And that counts, doesn’t it?”</p> - -<p>“It ought to,” the other agreed, “but I wouldn’t -count too much on it.”</p> - -<p>“Where does Frick room?” asked Tubb after a -moment.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know.” Toby frowned a minute. -Then: “Look here, Tubb, let’s talk sense,” he expostulated. -“Never mind whether faculty finds out -or doesn’t. You say you’re willing to risk that. -But if you beat Frick up or if he beats you up, Tom -Fanning will hear of it, even if the coaches don’t. -And Fanning will drop you from the team like a—a -hot potato!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_215"></a>[215]</span></p> - -<p>“I don’t see why he should,” Tubb objected. -“It’s not his affair, Tucker.”</p> - -<p>“Why isn’t it? It’s his affair if you or any other -fellow on the team breaks training. If Frick lays -you up for a day or two——”</p> - -<p>“Huh! Like to see him do it!”</p> - -<p>“Never mind, it’s possible. You’d be a fat lot of -use to the team, wouldn’t you? Well, that’s where -it becomes Fan’s business, Tubb. Just as long as -you’re on the team it’s your duty to go by the rules.”</p> - -<p>“Is there any rule saying you mustn’t knock a -fellow down after he’s kicked you in the slats?”</p> - -<p>“Don’t be a chump! No, there isn’t, but there’s -a general rule that says you must keep yourself in -trim so you’ll be able to do your best for the team -and the school. And when you fight another chap -you’re taking chances you haven’t the right to take. -Besides, Tubb, there’s another thing. You’re disturbing -the—the——”</p> - -<p>“Well, didn’t Frick disturb the same thing, whatever -it is, when he kicked me this afternoon? -Think he helped keep me in trim, like you say? -Well, I don’t!”</p> - -<p>“Frick took an awful chance and got away with -it, but I don’t think that’s any reason you should. -Hang it, Tubb, you’ve made the First Team and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_216"></a>[216]</span> -you’ve got a great chance of playing against Broadwood, -and that’s something a lot of fellows would -give their eye-teeth for! Don’t go and spoil it by -having a mix-up with this chap. If you must get -even with him, wait until the football season’s over, -anyway. He won’t get away.”</p> - -<p>Tubb scowled. “I might forget it by that time,” -he objected.</p> - -<p>Toby laughed. “All the better then! Take a -chance on that, anyhow. Will you?”</p> - -<p>Tubb hesitated, the scowl still lingering. At last: -“I might,” he answered, “I’ll see.” Then, after -a moment: “I’d sort of hate to lose my job with -the team, Tucker,” he said frankly, “and that’s -a fact. You could have knocked me flat with a -feather when they yanked me onto the First. I—I -guess I talked a lot of rot about ‘pull’ and that sort -of thing, because there wasn’t any pull about my -getting on the First, was there? It was just my -playing. Not that I think I’m anything wonderful, -Tucker. Halliday’s better than I am, and maybe -Meadows is, too, but I’m going to beat him out -for the place if I bust a leg doing it!”</p> - -<p>“That’s the way to talk,” approved Toby warmly. -“And if you feel that way about it, Tubb, I don’t<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_217"></a>[217]</span> -see how you can think of risking your chance. -Why, Frick isn’t worth it!”</p> - -<p>“Maybe that’s so,” agreed Tubb thoughtfully. -“Just the same, if that pup looks cross-eyed at me -again, or tries to get fresh——”</p> - -<p>“Keep out of his way,” laughed Toby.</p> - -<p>“Huh! I guess not! He’d think I was scared of -him.”</p> - -<p>“Let him. After the Broadwood game you can -show him you’re not. That’s a bargain, then?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t promise,” said Tubb, “but as long as he -behaves himself I guess I’ll let him alone. Say, -Tucker, I suppose you wouldn’t want to—to sort -of explain to him how it is, eh? So he wouldn’t -think he was getting away with it!”</p> - -<p>“Frankly, I would not, Tubb,” answered Toby, -smiling. “Just forget all about him and remember -Broadwood. That’s your game!”</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_218"></a>[218]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII<br /> -<small>A QUARTER-BACK RUN</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">The Second Team had a schedule of its -own, although it wasn’t very lengthy. It -consisted of two games, the first with -Greenburg High School and the second with Latimer -High School. The Greenburg game came off -the afternoon that the First played Carrel’s, and -in consequence Toby missed the latter contest. He -didn’t mind that, however, for he had a busy and -enjoyable time in Greenburg. Besides, he got the -full and detailed story of the Carrel game from -Arnold that evening and the next day and for one -or two days after that. Arnold was very full of -football just now and threatened to be somewhat of -a bore until the Broadwood contest was done with!</p> - -<p>The Greenburg athletic field lay on the side of -town away from the river and Yardley and was a -rather uneven piece of turf enclosed by a dilapidated -high board fence. There was a running -track, badly in need of cinders and attention, two<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_219"></a>[219]</span> -weather-stained stands and an unpainted shack that -did duty as a dressing-room. The game was not -very important from a Greenburg standpoint, and -the attendance this afternoon was not large. Usually -Greenburg won from the Yardley Second -Team without much difficulty, and although this fall -High School had heard stories of unusual prowess -on the Second Team’s part she was still not much -worried. Being a half holiday at the various mills -and factories, of which Greenburg held many, the -“tough” element of the town—or city, since that is -what Greenburg officially was—was well represented. -The mill operatives who had paid their -quarters for admittance to the game were strongly -pro-High School in their sympathies. Or perhaps -it would be nearer the truth to say that they were -enthusiastically anti-Yardley. In their belief all -Yardley students were silk-stockinged snobs, which, -while far from the fact, was enough to set the mill -crowd against the school. They came supplied with -peanuts and, perhaps a hundred in number, took -possession of one of the small, tumble-down stands -and made their presence known right from the start. -But aside from shouting weird cheers for Greenburg, -singing, parodying the Yardley slogan in -mincing falsetto and shying an occasional peanut<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_220"></a>[220]</span> -at the visitors’ bench in front of them, they kept the -peace during most of the game.</p> - -<p>Captain Beech wanted to win to-day’s contest, -since last year High School had caught the Blue -team in a slump and triumphed decisively over it by -a memorable score of 38 to 6, and so, with Coach -Burtis’s permission, the Second started with the -best line-up she could devise. Mr. Burtis had -awarded himself a vacation and gone home over the -week-end, leaving the captain in undisputed authority. -Toby didn’t get into the game until the third -period was well along, for Frick, who had started -it, played his best and a touchdown by Yardley in -the first five minutes of play gave the visitors an -advantage that the home team was not able to overcome -in the initial half. The Blue defense was too -much for the High School eleven although the latter -had plenty of talent in its ranks and played a stiff, -hard attack. On the other hand, Yardley had her -troubles with the High School line, and that single -touchdown had been more than half luck. A fortunate -forward pass from the middle of the field -had put the Blue within striking distance of High -School’s goal and a penalty for holding had given -her five yards more. Then Frick had fumbled and -Nelson had followed the trickling ball back, and,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_221"></a>[221]</span> -having captured it, found a chance around High -School’s left. He should have been stopped half a -dozen times, but somehow he sifted through the -enemy ranks and landed the pigskin up against the -left-hand post before he was brought down.</p> - -<p>High School accepted her mishap cheerfully and -set to work to do a little scoring on her own behalf, -but the half ended without the ball’s having approached -either goal again. The second half was -eight minutes old when Captain Beech found that -Frick’s work was becoming slow and uncertain and -sent him off. High School had forced the ball to -Yardley’s thirty-one yards and still had possession -when Toby went in. He was followed a minute -later by Lovett, who was called on to strengthen the -right end of the Blue’s line, around which High -School had made several gains since the period had -begun. Lovett, however, proved no more able to -stop those gains than had Connell, and High School -swept on to the Blue’s twenty-yard-line in three -plays and set her supporters shouting triumphantly. -With the cheers of the High School students came -approving yells from the mill contingent; hoarse -cries of “Eat ’em up, Greenburg!” “Kill the sissies!” -“Put it over, Greenburg!” Then, with a -score almost won, the High School left end was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_222"></a>[222]</span> -caught hugging Stover affectionately to his breast, -and High School was set back fifteen yards. The -mill hands didn’t approve of that and made it -known loudly and continuously, hissing and whistling -and hurling sarcastic remarks at the referee. -After two plays which netted only short gains, High -School tried a drop-kick from her thirty yards and -failed badly.</p> - -<p>The mill operatives still had hurt feelings and -were now howling continuously. The referee was -accused of favoritism, treachery and several other -faults, and Yardley of being “pikers” and “yellow -dogs.” Matters became no more peaceful when -Toby, getting the kick-off just short of his five-yard-line, -dodged it back to his twenty-three. Watson -went in for Sid Creel at center a minute or two -later and Toby began a systematic assault on High -School’s middle positions. Stover gained consistently -and White ploughed through less frequently -but for longer gains. High School changed center -and left guard and Toby switched his attack to -the right guard and tackle. There, however, he had -less luck, and, well into High School territory now, -he called for a forward, and White, from kicking -position, threw successfully to Mawson on High -School’s nineteen, a long hard heave that brought<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_223"></a>[223]</span> -applause even from the enemy. Mawson reached -the sixteen yards before he was tackled and the -fourteen before he was stopped.</p> - -<p>The third period ended and the teams changed -sides. High School fought desperately to hold her -opponent and the attack was thrice piled up for little -or no gain. Choosing between the possible loss of -the ball and a possible three points from a field-goal, -Toby selected the latter and Beech went back -for the kick. But High School tore through the -Yardley left and blocked the ball sufficiently to deflect -it harmlessly to the right. That incident gladdened -the mill hands considerably and they cheered -hoarsely.</p> - -<p>High School tried a forward-pass on first down -and got away with it for twelve yards. Plunges at -the line netted her a second first down. Three subsequent -attacks left her four yards shy of her distance -and she punted to Yardley’s thirty. There -Stover caught and ran back to the thirty-seven. He -was hurt in the tackle and gave place to Lippman. -Toby tried a quarter-back run after a delayed pass -and made a scanty five yards after going half across -the field. High School held against two plunges -and White punted outside at the enemy’s twenty-eight. -High School uncorked a puzzling open formation<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_224"></a>[224]</span> -play that sent the full-back around her short -end without interference and almost got him free. -But Lippman secured the runner after a fifteen-yard -advance. A forward-pass went wrong and, -after attempting each end, High School punted. -Lippman juggled the catch, recovered it and was -downed for no gain on his twenty yards. Toby -called on White and made seven straight through -High School’s center, and Lippman went outside -right tackle for four more and the distance. Then, -with the end of the game drawing near, Lippman -punted on second down from his thirty to High -School’s thirty-eight. Again the latter tried her -open formation play, but this time Yardley was -prepared and the runner was downed for an eight-yard -loss. A forward-pass gave High School ten -and a wide end run two more. Then came Waterloo, -for a High School back, plunging toward the -Yardley right tackle, lost the pigskin as he struck -the line and the ball bounded merrily into the air, -crossed the heaving lines and was pulled down by -Nelson.</p> - -<p>The best the Blue’s left half could do was hold -tight to his prize, for half the opposing team was -on top of him in the moment. But it was Yardley’s -ball on High School’s forty-nine yards, and,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_225"></a>[225]</span> -with less than two minutes remaining, the game was -as good as won. Captain Beech ran in four substitutes, -about all he had left, and on the first play, -one of them, Crawford, at full-back, went through -the Greenburg line like a streak of lightning and -dodged all but the quarter-back, planting the ball -on High School’s thirty-two yards when he was -captured. A penalty for off-side on the next play -set Yardley back, but Lippman carried the pigskin -around left end for three and Crawford made three -more, and, on fourth down, faking a kick from -placement, Toby took the ball and scampered off -around the Greenburg right behind good interference -and might have crossed the goal line had he -not, as he put it later, fallen over his own feet! -The stumble allowed a pursuing High School player -to drag him down six yards short of the last white -streak.</p> - -<p>Then came a heart-stirring climax to a contest -that had never failed of interest. The stands had -emptied ere this and the audience had been following -the game along the side-lines. Now it congregated -at the corner of the field nearest the play, flowing -over onto the gridiron in spite of the efforts of a few -ineffectual officials. In the front of the throng were -the mill operatives, noisy and unfriendly to the besiegers,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_226"></a>[226]</span> -more than willing, it seemed, to take a -hand in the game. Toby and Grover Beech consulted -while the crowd jeered and hooted. Toby -wanted to try a forward-pass over the line, but Captain -Beech was fearful of it save as a last resort, -and it was decided to batter the opponent’s line so -long as gains resulted and then, faking a try-at-goal, -attempt a short pass over the center.</p> - -<p>Toby called on Crawford and sent him banging -at the enemy’s guard-tackle hole on the left. But -the hole didn’t develop and the gain was less than a -yard. Beech sent Crawford out and brought in -Lansing, a heavy youngster whose slowness had -kept him on the bench most of the season. The -unfriendly critics, edging over the bounds, made -scurrilous remarks anent Lansing’s personal appearance -and had that poor youth, already made -nervous by the honor so unexpectedly thrust upon -him, a mass of blushes by the time he was in position. -But blushes didn’t take away from Lansing’s -weight or strength, and, with Lippman carrying the -pigskin, Lansing thrust the runner through for -three of the remaining five yards. There was some -rough playing in that fracas, and Toby discovered -that he had sustained a very ensanguined nose. On -third down, with just over two yards to go, Lippman<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_227"></a>[227]</span> -tried a cross-buck and squirmed over the -crouched backs of the foe for another three feet, -amidst an appalling shouting from the belligerent -onlookers. The mill contingent was now so close -behind the defenders that it was hard to tell who -was a player and who a spectator, and Captain -Beech called for time and pointed out the fact. -The Greenburg players tried to push the throng -back, but, although it good-naturedly shuffled a few -yards away, it pressed forward once more as soon -as the teams again lined up. The referee and umpire -scolded and threatened to call the game, but -were only hooted at. To the credit of the High -School students present it may be said that they did -nothing to encourage the mill hands and themselves -remained, if not outside the field, at least away from -the scene of play. In the end, finding pleas and -threats alike idle, the referee let the game go on.</p> - -<p>“We’ll never score against that mob,” whispered -Beech disgustedly to Toby. “They’ll jump in and -push us back. Might as well call it off. I don’t -want any mix-up with those muckers!”</p> - -<p>Toby nodded agreement, viewing the grinning, -inimical countenances grouped behind the opposing -line thoughtfully. Then: “Let me work this, cap, -will you? I think there’s just one chance!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_228"></a>[228]</span></p> - -<p>“Go ahead,” said Beech, “but you’ll never make -a forward with that gang back there to get in the -way.”</p> - -<p>“No, a forward’s no good, but—Signals! Come -on now, Yardley! One more punch! Signals! -31—51—27——”</p> - -<p>“<em>Signals!</em>” cried Lippman wildly, questioningly.</p> - -<p>“Shut up!” hissed Toby. “Change signals! 61—54—27—9! -61—54——”</p> - -<p>Forward plunged the backs, away sped Toby, -scuttling along the back of the short line, the ball -snuggled in his elbow. Cries and grunts and the -rasping of canvas-clad bodies filled the air. Then a -shriek from an excited, despairing high school spectator: -“<em>There he goes! Get him, you mutts!</em>”</p> - -<p>The play had been close to the left-hand corner -of the field and the onlookers had crowded there, -along the side-line for a short distance, but principally -back of the goal-line. At the other side of the -goal, save for a sprinkling of High School girls and -their escorts, the field was clear. Toward this side -of the gridiron sped Toby. Only Lovett, throwing -his opponent in as he plunged through, went with -him. But the right end was sufficient. A Greenburg -back met him and the two sprawled to the turf -together, and Toby, turning on his heel, headed<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_229"></a>[229]</span> -swiftly in. A yard or two short of the line he -dodged the only remaining opposition, a despairing -High School quarter, and circled back toward the -goal. But now there were plenty to challenge. A -High School player clutched at him and missed and -then Toby found himself in a struggling sea of -angry mill operatives. Farquhar tried to reach him, -but was pushed aside, and a dozen hands fought for -the ball. Toby clung to it as tightly as he could and -sought to fight his way forward, but the crowd was -ugly. Some one struck him on the mouth and, as -his head went back, the ball was dislodged. The -yells about him merged in a laugh of triumph and, -shoved aside, he sank to the ground, while the mill -crowd went piling off toward the entrance, the ball -in their possession. None tried to stop them.</p> - -<p>The officials allowed the touchdown, but Captain -Beech, helping a battered Toby to his feet, declined -the privilege of trying goal with another ball. -“Had enough, thanks,” he said coldly. Then, to -an apologetic and regretful Greenburg Captain: -“This is the last game you fellows will get with us, -Townsend. Come on, Yardley! Never mind the -cheer!”</p> - -<p>Toby was not the only one of the visiting team -who had sustained a memento of that closing minute.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_230"></a>[230]</span> -Three other fellows who had sought to reach -him had been punched, or kicked, and, including -such slighter injuries as had fallen to the Yardley -Second during the game, it was a somewhat messed -up aggregation that journeyed back to Wissining -that afternoon. The last they saw of the mill hands -they were having a remarkable football game with -the stolen ball in the road outside the field, too busy -to more than hoot at the visitors as they passed.</p> - -<p>“I’d like to fetch a couple of dozen more fellows -down here and wipe the ground up with them,” -muttered Beech. “Bet you that’s our last game with -Greenburg for awhile, Toby.”</p> - -<p>Toby didn’t offer to accept the wager, which was -fortunate for his modest resources since, a few days -later, the Yardley faculty, having probed the incident, -struck Greenburg High School from the list of -approved opponents.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_231"></a>[231]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX<br /> -<small>ARNOLD HAS A THOUGHT</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">The First Team came back hard that afternoon, -rolling up a total of 25 points -against Carrel’s and holding the opponent -to a single touchdown. Yardley scored in each period, -starting in the first with a field-goal shortly -after play began, adding a touchdown and goal in -the second, a touchdown in the third and another -field-goal and touchdown in the last. Carrel’s did -her scoring in the third period, following a fumble -in the back-field by Quarterback Noyes. Securing -the ball on Yardley’s twenty-two yards, the visitor -worked a double pass that sent her full-back romping -over the line without much opposition. She -failed at an easy goal, however, and had to be content -with six points.</p> - -<p>Of course Toby heard all this and much more -from Arnold that evening, for Arnold was as full -of the game’s details as a plum-pudding is full of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_232"></a>[232]</span> -raisins—or ought to be! But it was after Toby -had sketched the Second Team’s fracas with the -mill hands, for Toby’s face demanded an explanation. -Besides a contused nose, honestly earned in -combat, he had a large lump on his left cheek bone. -“Some day, maybe,” he said wistfully, “I’m going -to meet up with the fellow who handed me that. -When I do, if it isn’t in church, I’m going to hand -it back to him.”</p> - -<p>“Think you’d know him?” asked Arnold. -“Thought you said it was a mob, and that——”</p> - -<p>“It was a mob, but I saw the chap that walloped -me. Yes, I’ll know him all right if only by his -hair.”</p> - -<p>“What about his hair?”</p> - -<p>“It was——” Toby hesitated—“it was red!”</p> - -<p>Arnold whooped delightedly. “What do you -know? Honest, Toby? Say, I’d like to have seen -that! Red against—hm——”</p> - -<p>“Say it,” said Toby, grinning. “His was redder -than mine, too, and that’s going some! And he had -freckles all over his nose and looked like one of -those tough boys in the movies. Yes, I’ll know him. -Don’t you worry.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you’d better bathe that lump he gave you. -It makes you look sort of lopsided. In fact, T.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_233"></a>[233]</span> -Tucker, that and your nose give you a positively -villainous appearance! Frank’s got a hard-looking -phiz to-night, too. Some one put a foot on it, he -says. I told him he should be more careful and -not leave his face lying around on the ground, but -it didn’t seem to make a hit with him. Some folks -are like that; can’t take advice for a cent. Say, -Toby, old thing, it was some game. Listen! They -won the toss and gave us the kick-off and Larry——”</p> - -<p>Arnold had started, and Toby laid back on the -window-seat and hugged his knees and said “Uh-huh” -at intervals and listened as attentively as he -could. But presently he got to thinking about his -morrow’s letter home, and then about that scholarship -after the mid-year, and was yanked back to the -present by Arnold’s: “Isn’t that the very dickens, -Toby?”</p> - -<p>“Huh? Oh, yes, mighty tough! Who did you -say did it?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know who did it! What do you mean, -did it? It was the hurt he got in the Brown and -Young’s game, I tell you. They thought it was all -right, and they took the bandage off and everything, -and then to-day he just gave it a twist or something!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_234"></a>[234]</span></p> - -<p>“Who did?”</p> - -<p>“Why, Curran! Say, haven’t you heard anything -I’ve been saying?”</p> - -<p>“Of course! But you talk so fast! As I understand -it, Curran got hurt in last Saturday’s game -and to-day he twisted his ankle——”</p> - -<p>“It’s his knee, you idiot!”</p> - -<p>“I meant knee; and had to quit playing. Who -went in for him?”</p> - -<p>“Errol Noyes. He did well enough except for -a fumble that gave them their score. If it hadn’t -been for that we’d have——”</p> - -<p>“Fumbles will happen in the best regulated back-fields,” -murmured Toby. “I think Noyes is pretty -good, myself.”</p> - -<p>“I’m not saying he isn’t,” answered Arnold impatiently, -“but, man-alive, he isn’t in Will’s class! -And if Will doesn’t get back——”</p> - -<p>“Doesn’t get back! Who says he won’t get -back?”</p> - -<p>“That’s what Fanning thinks. He’s all cut-up -about it. They’re going to take an X-ray to-morrow. -The doc thinks he will have to keep off it for -a month.”</p> - -<p>“Gee, that is tough! I didn’t realize what you -meant! Of course, Noyes isn’t the player that Curran<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_235"></a>[235]</span> -is, but he’s pretty good. Who else have you -got?”</p> - -<p>“Winfield, but he’s no earthly use.” Arnold was -gloomily silent for a moment. Then he gave vent -to an explosive: “<em>By jingo, Toby!</em>”</p> - -<p>“What?” Toby brought a startled gaze back from -the darkening world outside the window. Arnold -was staring at him fixedly.</p> - -<p>“Nothing,” answered Arnold slowly. But he -kept on staring in a curious, rapt way until Toby -said in a patient, kindly voice: “It’s all right, Arn. -It’s me, Toby. I room here with you, you know. -That’s my bed over there. Don’t you remember -me? Try to think, Arn!”</p> - -<p>“Shut up,” laughed the other. “I—I just thought -of something.”</p> - -<p>“Try to forget it then,” Toby advised. “You -looked like a sick cow. Say, you—you didn’t get -a blow on the head this afternoon, did you? Sometimes -an injury of that sort—But no, it wouldn’t -affect you that way. That dome of yours would -just give forth a hollow sound——”</p> - -<p>“Listen,” interrupted Arnold earnestly. “If Curran -<em>is</em> out of the game for the rest of the season, -why, don’t you see what might happen?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_236"></a>[236]</span></p> - -<p>“Yes, we might get licked by Broadwood. Still, -we may anyhow, so what’s the good of——”</p> - -<p>“Oh, use your bean! We’ll have to find a substitute -for Noyes, of course! Maybe Mr. Lyle will -try Clarke. Sim’s not much of an end, and he -played quarter some last year. But then again he -might go to the Second for what he needs.”</p> - -<p>“Who, Clarke?”</p> - -<p>“No, Mr. Lyle, you ninny. And if he did he -might pick you, T. Tucker!”</p> - -<p>“Yes, and he might not,” jeered Toby. “Frick’s -got first call, you poor old dummy.”</p> - -<p>“I’m not so sure! I’ve heard that you were -doing just as good work as Frick, Toby.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, you hear a lot of things if you let your -ears flap,” answered Toby rudely.</p> - -<p>“The idea doesn’t interest you, then?” asked -Arnold sarcastically.</p> - -<p>“I wouldn’t say that,” Toby replied, getting a -new grip on his knees. “I have a comprehensive -intellect, Arn, and all sorts of things that wouldn’t -appeal to ordinary minds——”</p> - -<p>“Oh, go to thunder! I hope Frick does get it, -you poor fish!”</p> - -<p>“May the best man win,” said Toby cheerfully. -“Them’s my sentiments. Come on. Let’s eat.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_237"></a>[237]</span></p> - -<p>By Monday it was pretty generally known that -Will Curran was lost to the football team for the -rest of the season. The injury to his knee sustained -in the Brown and Young’s game had proved far -more serious than at first supposed and an X-ray -examination had shown that a cast was necessary. -To be sure, the Greenburg surgeon, called into consultation -by the school doctor, spoke vaguely of -“benefits reasonably to be expected from a fortnight’s -care,” but no one was fooled, least of all -Curran. By the middle of the week he was out on -crutches, but he was there to help in the coaching -of the backs and not to play. The blow was a sore -one to the school, and for several days gloom a -foot thick hung over it. Then, since Coach Lyle -went on about his business of developing a winning -football team quite as cheerfully and whole-heartedly -as ever, and since Errol Noyes buckled down and -worked like a Trojan to fill Curran’s shoes, the -gloom thinned out and vanished altogether. After -all, the reports from Broadwood were far from -disheartening: not the newspaper stuff written by -the Broadwood correspondents, but the underground -rumors that percolated somehow from the -rival school through Greenburg and thence up the -hill to Yardley. Broadwood was but three miles<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_238"></a>[238]</span> -beyond Greenburg, and since her students came to -that town for purchases and amusement, just as -Yardley fellows did, stories were bound to leak out. -The local rumors just now had it that Broadwood -was having much difficulty in filling her back-field -with the right material. In fact, the rumors were -borne out by the evidence of the last two contests -in which the Green had taken part. For Broadwood -to be defeated by Franklin was something -unheard of and unthought of, but that had happened -two weeks since. And last Saturday, in the -Nordham game, she had managed to squeeze -through to victory by a mere seven points. So, as -the more optimistic of the Yardley enthusiasts -pointed out, even the loss of Curran was not sufficient -cause for conceding a Broadwood victory.</p> - -<p>Coach Lyle did as Arnold had surmised he might -do. He took Sim Clarke from the ranks of the end -substitutes and turned him back into a quarter, and -it was generally allowed that, with Curran coaching -him, Sim might develop into a valuable player. -Meanwhile, Noyes worked fairly satisfactorily. Indeed, -in the Nordham game the next Saturday he -ran the team so well that even Tom Fanning took -heart and stopped predicting to a few close friends—comprising -most of the team!—a victory for the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_239"></a>[239]</span> -rival school. Toby heard from Sid Creel that Roy -Frick was so certain of being taken to the First that -he had tried to persuade Phil Stone to give him the -First Team signal code! That, Frick had explained, -was so he could take hold without loss of time. -Toby had not put much value on Arnold’s suggestion -that one T. Tucker might be elevated to the -varsity ranks and consequently was not at all disappointed.</p> - -<p>The Second took a beating every time it went -against the First nowadays, for the latter was fast -rounding into late season form. Now and again -it managed to throw a scare into Coach Lyle’s bunch, -but that is the best it could do. Ordinarily, if it -kept the First to two scores, or managed to score -itself, it swaggered quite sickeningly. Toby and -Frick still struggled for supremacy, with little to -choose between them, it seemed. Frick undoubtedly -excelled Toby in individual work, being surer in -tackling and in running with the ball. On the other -hand, Toby was rather more steady when it came -to catching punts and could get more out of the -team. Perhaps the latter ability was due to the -fact that he was far better liked than Frick.</p> - -<p>The Yardley-Nordham game was uninteresting -save as it gave the Blue a chance to study comparative<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_240"></a>[240]</span> -scores. Nordham played a listless game, partly -owing to the absence of three players who had been -hurt in the Broadwood contest, and, although she -twice managed to hold Yardley under her goal-posts, -she proved an easy victim, the home team -winning by a score of 19 to 0. Compared to Broadwood’s -7 to 0 victory, this looked pretty good until -one recalled that Nordham was lacking three regulars -and was evidently still feeling the effects of -last week’s contest. Coach Lyle worked in most of -his second-string and third-string players in the last -period. If he hadn’t, there might have been another -score to Yardley’s credit. The cheering section -kept very busy that afternoon, trying out several -new songs and rehearsing all the old ones in -preparation for the big game, in spite of the fact -that a mean, dispiriting drizzle fell all during the -last half. Clarke got a chance to show what he had -for a few minutes in the fourth period and gave the -impression of having very little. But as he had been -at it less than a week it was hardly fair to judge -him harshly.</p> - -<p>So, with only one minor game remaining, Yardley -set her face hopefully toward the supreme test -two weeks hence.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_241"></a>[241]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX<br /> -<small>AN ENCOUNTER ON THE BEACH</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">“Doing anything this afternoon, Tucker?”</p> - -<p>George Tubb paused with a foot on -the stairs to the third floor of Whitson -and put the question with elaborate carelessness. -Toby hesitated the fraction of a moment. He knew -whither the inquiry led and he wanted to answer -in the affirmative, but he really wasn’t doing anything -special, and Arnold could never be counted on -for Sunday afternoon entertainment, and so he said, -after a scarcely noticeable pause: “Why, no, I -guess not, Tubb.”</p> - -<p>“Wondered if you’d care to take a walk somewhere,” -continued the other, hurriedly. “It’s a -corking day and—and everything.”</p> - -<p>“All right. About three? I’ve got a letter to -finish.”</p> - -<p>“Any time.” Tubb’s tone held perfect indifference. -Toby felt as if he had made the proposal<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_242"></a>[242]</span> -himself and as if Tubb were doing him a favor! -For an instant he was riled and had something tart -on the end of his tongue. But he kept it there, and -only said: “Three then. So long!”</p> - -<p>Tubb’s feet pounded on up the stairs and Toby -pushed open the door of Number 12. Inside, his -slight frown vanished and he chuckled. “Silly -chump!” he murmured. “Afraid I’d guess how -much he wanted me to go with him. Gee, I wonder -why! I’m never more than fairly decent to him. -Must be my—my fatal beauty that attracts him!” -And Toby’s chuckle grew into a laugh as he caught -sight of his smiling but unclassic features in the -mirror over Arnold’s dresser.</p> - -<p>The trouble with writing letters after a Sunday -dinner is that a Sunday dinner is likely to be a -rather hearty affair, affecting not only the body -with torpidity but the brain as well. So it was that -while the first three pages of Toby’s weekly epistle -were brilliant enough the last page fell off badly -in interest. In fact, he only reached the bottom of -it by desperate effort and by shortening the lines. -Then, when he had thumped a stamp on the corner -of the envelope and found cap and sweater, he clattered -down and dropped the letter in the mail-box -in front of Oxford. After that he backed away to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_243"></a>[243]</span> -the edge of the Prospect, as the grassy terrace in -front of the buildings was called, fixed his gaze on -the window of Number 31 and hailed.</p> - -<p>“O Tubb! A-ay, Tubb!”</p> - -<p>After several seconds had elapsed, Tubb’s face -appeared in the open window and he looked down -at Toby with simulated surprise. Then, as he -looked, recollection dawned, and, “Oh! All right, -Tucker! Be right down!” he called.</p> - -<p>Toby kicked at a pebble. “Serve him right if I -beat it,” he muttered vexedly. “Cheeky beggar! -Still, he did it pretty well.” Unwilling admiration -softened his rancor, and, “I’ll wait,” he added to -himself.</p> - -<p>Tubb clattered out of the entrance by the time -that resolution of clemency had been reached and -the two crossed the Prospect as if by mutual consent -and took the graveled path that descended the -terrace until it reached the winding road at the foot -of the hill. Then, “Which way?” asked Toby.</p> - -<p>“I don’t care,” answered Tubb. “It’s warmer -along the beach, I guess. The wind’s sort of west -to-day.”</p> - -<p>“About northwest by north,” said Toby, to whom -the direction of the wind and the look of the sky<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_244"></a>[244]</span> -were matters of real interest. “It will be good and -cold to-night, I guess.”</p> - -<p>They crossed the road and went on by the path, -over the deep cut through which the shining rails of -the double tracks ran. Westward, they could follow -the straight roadway to the Wissining station -and the drawbridge beyond, eastward the railway -vanished presently around a curve. A rod or two -further on the path led into the woods, dividing, -and they followed the right-hand trail. The oaks -and beeches still held most of their leaves, but the -other trees had stripped their branches for the winter, -and underfoot the colorful litter rustled pleasantly. -A moment later the Sound showed through -the trees, softly blue in the afternoon sunlight. -There wasn’t much talk until the two boys had -reached the beach and turned eastward along the -firm, hard sand. The tide was well out, and just -above the little ripples of waves gleaming expanses -of wet sand caught the sun blindingly. They by no -means had the beach to themselves, for the mild -afternoon had brought out many of the villagers -and not a few of the school fellows, and, looking -ahead down the gently-curving strand, they could -see many darker specks against its golden surface. -Out on the water a few pleasure craft were flitting<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_245"></a>[245]</span> -under a light but steady breeze and Plum Island -looked startlingly near.</p> - -<p>“A peach of a day,” said Toby, breathing in the -familiar scent of sea and shore, and experiencing a -tiny qualm of homesickness. Tubb assented. He -was looking fixedly at two boys who were approaching -them along the beach. A moment later he -grunted.</p> - -<p>“There comes Frick,” he said. “Guess I’ll ask -him something.”</p> - -<p>“No, you won’t,” said Toby decisively. “You -promised to behave yourself.”</p> - -<p>“I didn’t promise,” denied Tubb. “I said maybe -I’d—Anyhow, I’m not going to <em>do</em> anything; I just -want to let him understand——”</p> - -<p>“You keep your mouth closed, Tubb.” Toby -took his arm tightly. “No nonsense now!”</p> - -<p>“We-ell——” Tubb eyed the approaching couple -irresolutely. Frick’s companion was a stranger to -both, a chap whose name Toby believed to be Cotting, -a tall, lanky youth with a wide mouth and -outstanding ears. Just now he appeared to be intensely -amused at something Frick was saying, and -his high-pitched laughter, accompanied by surreptitious -glances at Toby and George, was too much -for the latter. Wresting his arm from Toby’s restraining<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_246"></a>[246]</span> -clutch, Tubb swung off to meet the others, -who were passing a dozen yards up the beach. Toby -followed more slowly, thinking unflattering things -of Tubb.</p> - -<p>“Talking about me, were you?” challenged Tubb -from a few paces away. Cotting shot a startled and -questioning glance at Frick. Evidently Cotting had -no desire for trouble. Frick, however, pushed forward -swaggeringly.</p> - -<p>“What if I was?” he demanded, scowling.</p> - -<p>“Don’t do it!” Tubb’s voice had an unsuspected -edge, and Frick stared an instant in surprise.</p> - -<p>“Calm yourself, kid, calm yourself,” he laughed -finally. “I talk about any one I like to. Then -what?”</p> - -<p>Toby “butted in” at that moment, nodding coldly -to Frick and joining arms with Tubb again. “Come -on, Tubb, let’s hurry,” he urged.</p> - -<p>“That’s right, Tucker,” said Frick approvingly. -“He might get hurt if he stays around here.”</p> - -<p>Cotting had stopped a pace or two away and was -digging a hole in the sand with the toe of one shoe -in a very absorbed way. Toby found time to be -amused at his tactful withdrawal.</p> - -<p>“I’m not going to get hurt,” responded Tubb. -“Don’t worry about me, Frick. And I’m not going<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_247"></a>[247]</span> -to hurt you—to-day. I just stopped to tell you -that I’m keeping my affair till later on. Didn’t -want you to think you were getting away with what -you did last week, because you’re not. It’s chalked -up against you and you’ll get what’s coming to you -when it’s time. There’s no hurry——”</p> - -<p>“Shut up, Tubb,” begged Toby. “Come on!”</p> - -<p>“Mind your own business, Tucker!” snarled -Frick. “You’re a nice one to talk that stuff! I’ve -got something for you, too, you swell-headed little -carrot! As for you, Tubb, or whatever your silly -name is, I’m ready whenever you are! Right now -if you like! I’ll take on the two of you! Come on! -What do you say?”</p> - -<p>“There’s going to be no scrapping here,” said -Toby resolutely. “There’s going to be none anywhere -for awhile. You keep what you’ve got for -me, Frick. I’ll ask for it when I’m ready. Tubb, -you——”</p> - -<p>“You’ll get it when <em>I’m</em>, ready!” growled Frick. -“I’d give it to you now if——” He glanced over -the beach and, furtively, toward the school, whose -upper windows were visible above the stretch of -woods.</p> - -<p>“Yes, and get thrown out of school,” assented<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_248"></a>[248]</span> -Toby grimly. “Not for me, thanks! There’s time -enough. Come on, Tubb.”</p> - -<p>“All right,” Tubb smiled cheerfully. “No use -getting in trouble about this guy. See you again, -Frick. Be good to yourself!”</p> - -<p>“Yes, run along, little boys,” answered Frick, -laughing angrily. “For a plugged nickel I’d bang -your fool heads together!”</p> - -<p>Toby tightened his hold on Tubb’s arm, but Tubb -only laughed and went on. “Gee, that did me a -lot of good,” he said contentedly. “He’s a big -bluff, I guess, Tucker.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe. Still, they say he’s pretty handy with -his fists. Anyhow, I’m glad you’re out of that, -Tubb. We’d all been finished for fair if you two -had scrapped here on Sunday afternoon!”</p> - -<p>“I forgot about its being Sunday,” said Tubb. -“I suppose that would have made it worse. Say, -he’s got it in for you, too, hasn’t he?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I guess so,” answered Toby tranquilly. -“But I should feel faint! Anyhow, he will have -to keep the peace until football’s over. I don’t intend -to lose my place on the Second for the likes -of him!”</p> - -<p>“Say, why doesn’t that ninny take you over to -the First?” asked Tubb.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_249"></a>[249]</span></p> - -<p>“Meaning Mr. Lyle? You have pretty names for -your Big Boss! Well, I’ve been thinking about -that, Tubb, and I’ve just about concluded that it’s -because he doesn’t want me!”</p> - -<p>“But, joking aside,” protested the other earnestly, -“you play a better game than that guy Clarke, -and I’ll bet you could beat Noyes, too, if you had -a chance. Noyes is scared all the time. He gets his -signals all balled up. No one feels any—whatyoucallit—any—any——”</p> - -<p>“You mean that he doesn’t inspire his team with -confidence in his ability to—er—meet successfully -the——”</p> - -<p>“Say, what’s wrong with you?” demanded Tubb -anxiously.</p> - -<p>Toby chuckled. “That’s what comes of trying to -make practical application of what I’ve learned in -my English course. Just as soon as I try to speak -the language correctly some one jumps on me! It’s -no use!”</p> - -<p>“I should say not!” agreed Tubb, relievedly. -“You talk like an examination paper!”</p> - -<p>“Then I’ll stop. Those are things I don’t want -to think of. By the way, how are you getting along -in your classes, Tubb?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_250"></a>[250]</span></p> - -<p>“Fine. I never had much trouble with studies. -Guess I learn easily.”</p> - -<p>“I think you must,” responded Toby thoughtfully. -“Wish I did. Shall we turn back?”</p> - -<p>“Do you mean that you have trouble with your -studies, Tucker?” asked Tubb when they were retracing -their steps. “I thought you were a regular -shark for work.”</p> - -<p>“A shark,” answered Toby, “is a much misunderstood -fish. Most folks think that a shark swallows -things whole, but he doesn’t. He has to bite -off a chunk at a time, just as I do. Where we differ, -Mister Shark and I, is on chewing. He doesn’t -have to chew what he bites off, and I do. I have to -chew it a long while. And even then it isn’t always -digested. I guess, Tubb, the truth of the matter -is that I can learn easily enough if I set out to do -it, but I have a rotten fashion of trying to do two -hours’ study in one!”</p> - -<p>Tubb laughed. “I know. If the instructor’s easy -you can get by that way sometimes, but here at -Yardley you can’t. I found that out the first week. -Well, I suppose we’ve got to learn the dreary stuff, -eh? What’s the good of it, though? A lot of it, -I mean?”</p> - -<p>“Don’t know, Tubb. I’ve wondered. Seems to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_251"></a>[251]</span> -me sometimes that if they’d teach us less Greek and -Latin and higher mathematics and more things like -horseshoeing and plumbing and—and ditch-digging -we’d have a better chance when we got through. A -lot of us will never get to college. I hope to, but I -don’t know. If I don’t, what use to me is Latin and -trigonometry and Greek? I suppose I’ll build boats -most of my life—maybe. Being able to read the -Odyssey in the original odiousness isn’t going to -help me a whole lot!”</p> - -<p>“Well, there are schools where a fellow can go -and learn those things,” said Tubb. “Blacksmithing -and electricity and—and practical things, you -know.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, but why not teach a little of them at every -school? Seems to me a lot of us would be a sight -better off if we knew something about a practical -trade when we got out of prep school. Of course, -we couldn’t learn much, but we might have a start. -I guess it’ll come to that some day, Tubb.”</p> - -<p>“Really? Well, I wouldn’t mind. I don’t know -what I’m going to do when I get through here. Go -home and tend store, I guess.”</p> - -<p>“Store? What kind of a store is it?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, just a regular general store like you find -in small towns. Dad sells everything from sugar<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_252"></a>[252]</span> -to plows. And he makes just enough to live on, -I guess. He used to be in the lumber business, and -he did pretty well for awhile. Then—something -happened and it went bust. No, by jiminy, I won’t -do it, Tucker! Running a country store isn’t good -enough! I’ll be a—a lawyer or something first!”</p> - -<p>“Sounds desperate the way you say it,” laughed -Toby. “I’d sort of like to be a doctor myself, only -you can’t be President if you’re a doctor, and of -course I’d rather be President.”</p> - -<p>“Can’t you?” asked Tubb innocently. “Why -not?”</p> - -<p>“Don’t know.” Toby shook his head. “You -never heard of a President who’d been a doctor -first, did you? Maybe there’s something in the Constitution -prohibiting it.”</p> - -<p>“You say the craziest things!” laughed Tubb. -Then, soberly: “Do you mean that you really -think about things like that, Tucker?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Things like what? Being a doctor?”</p> - -<p>“No, being President. I never do.”</p> - -<p>“Sure, why not? Some one’s got to be President, -Tubb. Might as well be me if I’m fitted for -it. Or you, if you are! Every President was a kid -once, you know. I wonder if they ever thought -about it when they were kids. Maybe you’re not<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_253"></a>[253]</span> -supposed to. Anyway, if you’re a lawyer and I’m -a doctor, you’ll get the presidency, because lawyers -seem to have it all over every other profession when -it comes to copping that job!”</p> - -<p>Later, climbing the hill again, Toby asked: -“Changed your mind any about this place, Tubb?”</p> - -<p>“How do you mean?” But, in spite of assumed -ignorance, he understood, and in the next breath he -went on. “Yes, I have, Tucker,” he said frankly. -“I said a lot of things I didn’t believe, anyhow. I -had an awful grouch at first. Guess you—guess -you must have thought I was a perfect blamed -nuisance!”</p> - -<p>“N-no, not exactly. You got me riled pretty -often, though.”</p> - -<p>“Did I? I suppose I must have. Well——” -Tubb hesitated. “Say, I want you to know that I -appreciate everything, Tucker; everything you did -to make me—make me get onto myself. Of course -I know that I’m not the sort of fellow that other -fellows take to, but—but I’ve been—sort of—getting -along lately. Football’s done it, I guess, and -you started me on that. That’s why I say that I’d -like you to know——”</p> - -<p>“All right.” Toby chuckled. “Tubb, I decided -a long while ago that when you got straightened<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_254"></a>[254]</span> -out here I was going to do something to prove to my -own satisfaction that—well, that you were a regular -fellow.”</p> - -<p>“What was it?” asked the other, puzzled.</p> - -<p>“I was going to call you something,” answered -Toby gravely. “I guess you have got straightened -out pretty well and so I guess I’ll do it right now.” -They had reached the second floor of Whitson and -Toby had started toward Number 12. “See you -later, Wash-Tub!”</p> - -<p>Then his door closed behind him hurriedly. But -George Tubb, continuing his way upstairs after a -moment, looked anything but vengeful!</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_255"></a>[255]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI<br /> -<small>TUBB BARKS A KNUCKLE</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">Yardley entered the final stage of football -that week with its customary enthusiasm -and single-mindedness. There had -been already two or three meetings in Assembly -Hall, on the third floor of Oxford, for the purpose -of practicing cheers and songs, but those gatherings -paled into insignificance with Monday night’s affair -and kept on paling as the last fortnight before -the Broadwood game grew toward its end. There -were mass meetings on Monday, Wednesday and -Friday of that next to the last week, and at each -successive meeting the cheering was heartier, the -singing louder and the enthusiasm more intense. -Every one who had anything to say—and some who -hadn’t—addressed the students, the Musical Clubs -played their best and if fervor counted in the final -score, Broadwood, to quote Sid Creel, was “a gone -coon!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_256"></a>[256]</span></p> - -<p>And on the two gridirons life was very strenuous -indeed those six days. The First was looking -toward the big game and nothing else, and the game -with St. John’s Academy, which, contrary to custom, -was to be played away from home, was viewed -merely as an incident. New plays, not many in -number but exacting of execution, which had purposely -been held back until now, were being learned -and the final touches were being laid on. Coach -Lyle had two graduates to aid him during the last -fortnight, and he needed them, for there were still -weak spots in the Blue’s line-up.</p> - -<p>The Second Team, too, went through a week of -intensive work, both with a view to giving the First -some good hard tussles and with her own second -and last game in sight. She was to play Latimer -High School on the First Team gridiron on Saturday, -and, with the big team away, the contest was -sure to draw a crowd and attain a semblance of importance, -and the Second, not at all loath to enjoy -the limelight for once, was resolved to make a good -showing. Toby discovered suddenly on Tuesday -that his triumph over Roy Frick had apparently -been gained, for during three desperate and hard-fought -periods against the First he remained at -quarter while his rival graced the bench. And Toby<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_257"></a>[257]</span> -did himself justice that afternoon if ever he had. -To be sure the First Team smashed out a score in -each period, but she had to work for each, and in -the third twelve minutes the Second made a forty-six-yard -advance from mid-field to the First’s five-yard -line, where, foiled thrice in attempts at rushing, -Toby tossed a short forward to Mawson, who -fell across the goal-line for a glorious six points. -Listening to the storm of reproach and accusation -hurled at the First by their coaches, Toby almost -regretted the triumph!</p> - -<p>Toby was used hard in that game. It seemed that -nothing could stop the opposing ends from getting -down under punts, while anything in the shape of -protection for the catcher was invariably lacking. -That wild Tubb was the worst offender from Toby’s -point of view. Tubb was forever rushing on him -the instant the ball settled into his arms, and Tubb -had learned to tackle now. Some of the hardest -thumps Toby got that afternoon were due to Tubb. -Then toward the last of the play, Toby got into a -side-line mix-up and Jim Rose, who weighed close -to two hundred, sat on his neck in a way that spelled -discomfort then and afterwards. On the whole, -although he had had a corking good time and was -conscious of having deported himself rather well,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_258"></a>[258]</span> -Toby reached the gymnasium in a somewhat weak -and battered condition and made no objection when -Gyp removed him to the rubbing room and made -him swallow something that tasted like ammonia -and then did excruciating things to his neck for a -good ten minutes. Even after that he didn’t feel -awfully bright and chipper, and that night he fell -asleep with his head pillowed on his French dictionary -and slept beautifully until Arnold rudely awakened -him and sternly sentenced him to bed.</p> - -<p>The next afternoon, although he really felt as -fit as ever, the assistant trainer cast one stern and -penetrating look at him and ordered him off the -field. “No work for you to-day, Tucker,” said Gyp. -“And don’t stick around here, either. Go and play -tennis or something easy. (Gyp was known to hold -a supreme contempt for tennis!) Anyway, stay -outdoors.”</p> - -<p>“Can’t I watch practice?” asked Toby ingratiatingly.</p> - -<p>“You cannot! Beat it now, like I tell you!”</p> - -<p>So Toby “beat it” and went back to the gymnasium -and donned “cits” and wandered down to -the tennis courts and saw Horace Ramsey run away -with a set from the formidable Colcord, one of the -mainstays of the Tennis Team. Ramsey’s playing<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_259"></a>[259]</span> -astonished Toby, and he said as much to that youth -when, later, they walked back up the slope together.</p> - -<p>“I’ve improved my playing a lot the last two -weeks,” said Ramsey. “Some fellows don’t like -cool weather for tennis, but I do. Maybe it’s because -I’m heavier and hot weather gets me. I think -I’ve got the knack of the back-hand stroke now. It -worried me a lot at first. That’s the first time I -ever got Colcord six-three, though. He wasn’t at -his best to-day, I guess.”</p> - -<p>“Heart troubling you much nowadays?” asked -Toby slyly.</p> - -<p>“Not a bit,” answered the other unsuspiciously. -“I guess Mr. Bendix was right about it. He said, -you know, that he couldn’t find anything wrong -with it. Sometimes I think mother was too—too -anxious and imagined a lot. You know how mothers -are, Tucker.”</p> - -<p>“Yes.” Toby nodded. “My mother used to be -that way, too. She used to tell my father that I -wasn’t strong enough to split wood, but dad never -believed her. And somehow I split it and lived to -tell the tale! How are you and Tubb getting along, -Ramsey?”</p> - -<p>“Getting along? Oh, fine. Why?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_260"></a>[260]</span></p> - -<p>“We-ell, just at first I thought I noticed a certain—er—coolness -between you.”</p> - -<p>“Really?” Ramsey looked mildly surprised. “I -don’t remember that. I like George first rate. He -used to be sort of touchy and—and gloomy, but he -isn’t now. Maybe he was homesick. He’s doing -great things on the football team, I hear.”</p> - -<p>“Yes.” Toby unconsciously felt of a lame hip. -“Yes, he certainly is!”</p> - -<p>When Arnold came dragging himself in just before -five he found his roommate putting in some -much-needed licks on his Latin. “Your friend -Tubbs——” began Arnold presently.</p> - -<p>“Tubb, Arn, still Tubb,” corrected Toby patiently. -“Minus the sibilant consonant.”</p> - -<p>“Tubb, then. It’s a crazy name, anyway. What -I was going to say was that your friend Tubb -played a very nice game of football this afternoon.”</p> - -<p>“So glad to hear it.”</p> - -<p>“Yes.” Arnold chuckled. “And some one almost -spoiled his fatal beauty. They say it was Roy -Frick.”</p> - -<p>“How? What did he do to him?” asked Toby -anxiously.</p> - -<p>“How I don’t know. I didn’t observe it. What -was done was enough, though. Friend Tubb’s nose<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_261"></a>[261]</span> -is all over his face. I suppose that in time, after -Andy has worked it back into shape and hitched it -there with plenty of plaster, it will resume its normal -appearance, but at the present writing it’s—well, -it’s a sight and a strong argument against the -brutality of football!”</p> - -<p>“Do you mean that Frick got him during play?”</p> - -<p>“Well, it doesn’t look like play, but maybe it -was!”</p> - -<p>“You know what I mean, you seven-ply idiot! -Did they have a scrap, or what?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, it was during the course of the gentlemanly -encounter between friends that we staged down -there this afternoon. Honest, Toby, it’s a wonder -any one escaped without losing an ear or a jawbone -or something, the way those coaches drove us -to-day! They were positively blood-thirsty! That -long-legged guy who’s coaching the guards and -tackles——”</p> - -<p>“Did Tubb try to get back at him?”</p> - -<p>“At Frick? No, not that I know of. Maybe -he has by now. Maybe, though, it wasn’t Frick -who plugged him. I only heard some one say so -afterwards; Casement I think.”</p> - -<p>“It was Frick, I’ll wager,” said Toby. “Hang -him, I wish he’d behave himself until the season’s<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_262"></a>[262]</span> -over. Tubb’s crazy to fight him, and I’m afraid he -will, and if he does some one will get on to it and -he will get the dickens.”</p> - -<p>“That’s no joke,” agreed Arnold. “You’d better -give him a tip to keep quiet until after we’ve licked -Broadwood. It wouldn’t do to lose as good a chap -as Tubb. I heard, by the way, that Frick and a -couple of other fellows had a mix-up with some of -the mill toughs the other night; Saturday I think it -was; and that Frick, for once, got the short end of -it. Too bad they didn’t cure him!”</p> - -<p>“Guess I’ll run up and see him after supper,” -said Toby thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>“Frick?” asked Arnold innocently.</p> - -<p>“If I did I’d give him a good lesson,” answered -Toby grimly. “No, Tubb. I made him sort of -promise to be good, but if Frick’s gone and pasted -him again——” Toby shook his head lugubriously.</p> - -<p>Arnold laughed. “Think his patience may wear -thin after awhile, eh? Well, I can’t say I’d blame -him if it did. Still, he mustn’t be allowed to get -in wrong with faculty just yet. Go on up and read -the riot-act to him, old thing. By the bye, what -happened to you this afternoon? What kep ye?”</p> - -<p>“Gyp,” said Toby. “He wouldn’t let me on. Said -I was to play tennis instead!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_263"></a>[263]</span></p> - -<p>“I thought that might be it. Well, I missed your -smiling countenance and cheerful voice. So did -your team, I guess. They didn’t begin to play the -way they did yesterday. Did you play tennis?”</p> - -<p>“Not likely! To tell the gospel truth, Arn, I -guess I wouldn’t have been much good to-day. I -felt all right until Gyp told me I didn’t, though. -That’s funny, isn’t it?”</p> - -<p>“Not at all, not at all. Power of suggestion, T. -Tucker. Recognized psychological phenomenon. -When do we eat?”</p> - -<p>Toby was surprised as well as embarrassed on -reaching training table that evening by the interest -displayed in his welfare by his teammates. It -seemed that every one, with the possible exception -of Roy Frick, was eager and anxious to have his -absence from practice satisfactorily explained. Toby -was somehow glad that Coach Burtis had not yet -reached the table, for the coach had a kindly but -amused smile that made Toby feel silly, and Toby -was feeling silly enough as it was. Just at first he -thought the fellows were having fun with him, but -their relief at discovering that it was merely a lay-off -that had kept him away was too genuine to be -mistaken.</p> - -<p>“Well, Gyp has good sense,” commented Farquhar<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_264"></a>[264]</span> -approvingly. “The First certainly laid for -you yesterday, Tucker, and I could see that you -were pretty well flattened out afterwards. Feeling -all right now?”</p> - -<p>“Fine, thanks. Somebody pass the milk, please.”</p> - -<p>“Atta boy, Tucker!” said Nelson from across the -board. “Don’t forget Saturday. We’re going to -need you, son!”</p> - -<p>Toby saw Lovett glance toward Frick and exchange -an amused glance with Grover Beech, and -wished Nelson had more tact, and nearly choked -drinking the milk with which Mawson had filled -his glass. Then Mr. Burtis came and asked Toby -if his lay-off had straightened him out, and again -he said he was feeling fine, thanks, and after that -some one mercifully turned the conversation.</p> - -<p>When supper was over he went in search of -George Tubb. He had seen Tubb leave the First -Team table and took it for granted that he had -gone up to his room. But a knock on the portal of -Number 31 elicited no response and, on pushing the -door open, the room proved to be dark and empty. -So he went down to Number 12, lighted up, got -his books together and started on some geometry -problems that promised to give him trouble. But -the first one proved less awful than he anticipated<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_265"></a>[265]</span> -and so he went on to the second, and when he remembered -George Tubb again it was nearly nine. -Arnold had not yet returned from a conference at -the gymnasium. Toby pushed his papers away, -viewing the result of his labors approvingly, and -went back to the third floor. This time a light -showed from Number 31 and he found the room -tenanted, but only by Horace Ramsey.</p> - -<p>“Where’s Tubb?” asked Toby.</p> - -<p>“Haven’t seen him since before supper,” replied -Horace, with a sigh as he leaned back from his -studying and stretched his arms overhead. “I don’t -think he’s been back here since he went down. I -only came in about half an hour ago, though. Want -to see him? He may be over in Dudley. He and a -fellow named Dunphy are sort of thick. I don’t -know the number.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll wait a few minutes if I’m not keeping you -from studying. Maybe he will be in.”</p> - -<p>“Glad to have you,” replied Horace eagerly. “Try -the big chair. It’s all right if you don’t lean back -too hard. Did you hear about the wallop Tubb -got this afternoon?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, Deering told me about it. Does he think -Frick did it?”</p> - -<p>“He says he knows he did! You ought to have<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_266"></a>[266]</span> -heard him go on about it!” Horace chuckled. “Gee, -he was mad!”</p> - -<p>“You don’t suppose he’s—he’s looking for Frick -now, do you?”</p> - -<p>“By Jove! I wonder if he is! No, I don’t think -so, though. He had sort of cooled down by supper -time. He looked like a South Sea pirate, Tucker. -They plastered his face all over and it hurt him -to talk, I guess. Not that that kept him quiet, -though!”</p> - -<p>“Well, I wish I knew for sure——” muttered -Toby. “If he gets to scrapping with Frick and -faculty learns of it——”</p> - -<p>“I don’t believe he will, honest. He said something -about that, something about wishing football -was over so he could show Frick a good time.”</p> - -<p>Toby remained a half-hour longer, during which -conversation touched on many subjects, and then, -as he was leaving, Tubb appeared. He seemed in -unusually good spirits and greeted the visitor almost -boisterously, and wouldn’t hear of Toby’s departing -yet. “I’ve been over to Dudley seeing a -fellow named Dunphy,” he explained. “Know -him?”</p> - -<p>“A little,” said Toby. “What happened to your -hand?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_267"></a>[267]</span></p> - -<p>“Oh, that?” Tubb held up his left hand and -looked at a bleeding knuckle. “Why, I barked it -against the corner of Dudley. It was sort of dark -and I tried to turn too soon. Struck it against the -stone, I guess. It’s just a scratch.”</p> - -<p>“You keep on,” observed Ramsey dryly, “and -your folks won’t know you! Isn’t he a picture, -Tucker?”</p> - -<p>Toby assented unsmilingly. Tubb did look fairly -disreputable, for white surgeon’s tape crossed and -recrossed his nose over a pad of gauze and gave -him a peculiarly villainous appearance.</p> - -<p>“Suppose you heard about this?” asked Tubb -significantly, touching the wounded member gingerly. -Toby nodded. “That’s our friend Frick again. -It’s all right, though. Just one more little favor to -return.”</p> - -<p>“Seen him since?” asked Toby carelessly.</p> - -<p>“Only at a respectable and safe distance,” replied -Tubb, smiling. He looked and sounded truthful, -but Toby gave another look at the bleeding knuckle -and doubted.</p> - -<p>“Well,” he said after a moment, “I hope you’ll -keep away from him, Tubb. You know we sort -of decided you would.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I know. That’s all right. Friend Frick<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_268"></a>[268]</span> -can wait. I’m in no hurry. I was afraid that I -might forget about him by the time there was any -comeback, but now, after this little memento, there’s -no danger of it!”</p> - -<p>Presently Toby left, wondering whether Tubb -was telling the truth or was ashamed to confess -that he had taken revenge on his enemy. Certainly, -it was quite possible to skin one’s knuckle by hitting -it against the rough stone trimming of one of the -buildings, but somehow Toby didn’t quite believe -that Tubb had acquired his injury that way!</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_269"></a>[269]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII<br /> -<small>A VISIT TO THE OFFICE</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">Toby’s suspicions were confirmed the next -morning. On the way back from chapel -he fell in with Sid Creel. Sid’s eyes were -twinkling merrily as he joined arms with Toby and -fell into step. “Did you hear about Roy Frick?” -he demanded in a hushed but joyous voice.</p> - -<p>Toby shook his head. He thought he knew what -was coming, however.</p> - -<p>“Some one beat him up,” said Sid, “beat him up -beautifully! I haven’t seen him, but that’s what -Orlie Simpson says. He’s in his room and won’t -come out, and Orlie says he’s a sight!”</p> - -<p>“When?”</p> - -<p>“Last night. That’s all I know. Maybe it’s unkind -to chortle, Tucker, but he <em>did</em> need it, didn’t -he?”</p> - -<p>“Maybe he did,” answered Toby gloomily.</p> - -<p>“Well, what’s your trouble?” Sid observed him<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_270"></a>[270]</span> -in surprise. “You sound as if you were sorry for -him!”</p> - -<p>“Frick? No, I was only thinking that if there -was any trouble about it—whoever did it——”</p> - -<p>“Oh, he’s not likely to tell, I guess,” Sid chuckled. -“Probably he will say he fell downstairs or something! -Well, see you later. Thought you’d be -interested in hearing the sad news. So long!”</p> - -<p>After a two o’clock recitation Toby returned to -Number 12 to leave his books before going to the -field and found a gray card awaiting him. Toby -had seen gray cards before and knew what they -meant, but this time his conscience was fairly untroubled -and he wondered a good deal as he read -the printed form:</p> - -<p>“The Principal desires to see Tobias Tucker in -the School Office before 6 p.m.”</p> - -<p>Even the clearest conscience will experience -qualms on receipt of such a document, and Toby -sat down, card in hand, and asked himself what it -portended. It might be that bothersome Latin, although -just of late it hadn’t been going half badly -and his instructor had even given him an approving -word but a day or two since. Of course it was -conceivable that a student might be summoned to -the Office on some matter not concerned with misdemeanors<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_271"></a>[271]</span> -or derelictions. For instance, Toby told -himself, Doctor Collins might want to ask his advice -regarding the administration of Yardley Hall -School!</p> - -<p>Well, anyhow, he reflected presently, he had until -six to keep the appointment, and meanwhile it was -getting close to practice time, and whatever the -matter might be it could wait. So he kicked off -his shoes in favor of a pair of rubber-soled “sneakers” -and donned his oldest jacket and set forth.</p> - -<p>If troubles never come singly, as they say, the -same may be said of surprises. Toby’s second surprise -that day came when the whistle had put an -end to a hard-fought battle with First Team in -which he had again kept the quarter-back position -throughout. Possibly the fact that Frick was not -on hand may have had something to do with that, -for Rawson and Stair had been left well behind in -the race for supremacy. In any case, Toby put in -forty minutes of actual playing and ran his team -well, although no score came to the Second to-day. -Walking back to the bench for his sweater, he heard -his name called. Coaches Lyle and Burtis were -standing together nearby and it was Mr. Burtis who -had spoken. Toby joined them.</p> - -<p>“You know Mr. Lyle, Tucker?” asked the Second<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_272"></a>[272]</span> -Team coach. Wonderingly Toby shook hands. -“Mr. Lyle thinks he needs you on the First,” continued -Mr. Burtis. “Sorry to lose you, Tucker, but -we’re almost through, and I guess you may be able -to help out over there.”</p> - -<p>Toby looked bewildered. “You mean you want -me—that I’m to go to the First Team, sir?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, Tucker, that’s the idea,” answered the -First Team coach. “As you know, we’ve lost Curran -for the season. We still have a couple of good -quarters in Noyes and Winfield, but I’ll feel safer -with another to fall back on. I can’t promise you -much glory, Tucker, for you may not be needed this -season. Perhaps all you’ll get is a lot of hard -work, my boy, but you’ll have the satisfaction of -knowing that you’re doing your bit for the School. -Anyhow, there’s next year to look forward to. And -I dare say that, if you take hold the way I expect -you to, you’ll get your letter in the Broadwood -game. Well, you report to me to-morrow, will -you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir, thanks!”</p> - -<p>“Good!” Mr. Lyle shook hands again as though -to seal the bargain, and then Mr. Burtis shook hands -in a way that conveyed the idea that he was very -pleased for Toby’s sake, and Toby escaped. Most<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_273"></a>[273]</span> -of the First and Second Team fellows had gone on -ahead and he had the path pretty much to himself -on the way to the gymnasium. And he was glad, -because he wanted to think. He was a First Team -man! That was wonderful, but it was also disquieting. -Suppose that by some strange and unforeseen -combination of events he was called on -to play against St. John’s, or even Broadwood! -Gee, that would be pretty fierce! He guessed he -just couldn’t do it! No, sir, he’d be ill or something. -Playing on the Second was one thing and -running up against a big team like St. John’s was -quite another. He would make a horrible mess -of things, probably, and die of disgrace! Then the -comforting thought came to him that there wasn’t -the least chance of his getting into action in either -of the remaining contests, that all he would be required -to do would be to substitute now and then in -practice. It would be pretty hard work, of course, -but it would be worth while. Even to be numbered -among the First Team was a proud privilege and -cheap at any cost of labor. And there was also the -alluring possibility that he would get in for a minute -or two at the last of the big game, long enough -to win the right to wear the big blue Y!</p> - -<p>He remembered Frick then and wondered if he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_274"></a>[274]</span> -would have been chosen had Frick been out to-day. -His modesty didn’t prevent his suspecting that his -work had pleased the coach better than Frick’s during -the last week or so, and he hoped that Frick’s -absence from practice to-day was not the reason for -the choice falling where it had. But he couldn’t be -certain as to that, and in consequence he found no -temptation to be “swell-headed.”</p> - -<p>It wasn’t until he had dressed and was leaving -the gymnasium with Sid Creel and Frank Lamson -and one or two more that he remembered that summons -to the Office. Remembering, his heart sank. -Suppose something—he couldn’t think what it -might be—but suppose something had gone wrong -and he was to learn that this new and wonderful -good fortune was to be denied him! Of course, -that was perfect rot, for he hadn’t done anything! -Just the same he’d feel better when that conference -with the Principal was over.</p> - -<p>The School Secretary waved him silently toward -the inner office a few minutes later and Toby confronted -Doctor Collins. There was nothing formidable -about the Principal, but to-day Toby’s spine -experienced the sensation of becoming suddenly -liquefied, for Doctor Collins fixed a kind but stern -look on him as he swung about in his chair.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_275"></a>[275]</span></p> - -<p>“Ah, Tucker! Be seated, please.” The Doctor -removed his glasses, held them between him and the -light from the broad windows, seemed satisfied with -their clarity and replaced them astride his nose. -“One of our fellows was set on last night by two -other boys, Tucker, and badly hurt. Perhaps you -know him?”</p> - -<p>“Roy Frick, sir? I know him a little. We’re—we -were on the Second Team together.”</p> - -<p>“And you had heard of his—ah—injuries?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir, Sid Creel told me this morning.”</p> - -<p>“I see. Well, I’ve sent for you, Tucker, because -Frick tells a strange story of the event. At least, -I find it strange. Perhaps you can throw some light -on it. According to Frick, he was returning from -the village last evening at about nine o’clock, perhaps -a little after nine, and just inside the main gate -at the foot of the Prospect two boys jumped out -from the trees and seized him. That is to say, one -boy seized him and the other—ah—administered -punishment. It appears to have been rather a brutal -affair, brutal and cowardly. You agree with me?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir,” answered Toby troubledly. He had -made up his mind by now that no matter what happened -he would not tell on Tubb.</p> - -<p>“Yes. Now here is the strange—ah—feature of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_276"></a>[276]</span> -the story. Frick tells us that the boy who punched -and otherwise maltreated him was you, Tucker.”</p> - -<p>There was a moment of silence. Then: “<em>Me?</em>” -gasped Toby.</p> - -<p>The Principal nodded. “Yes, he says so. He declares -that he saw you well enough to recognize you, -although the spot is a fairly dark one. However, -there is the possibility that he was mistaken. Doubtless -you can account for your time at that hour, -Tucker.”</p> - -<p>“Why, yes, sir! Of course I can! I wasn’t anywhere -near the gate! I wasn’t even outside Whitson! -Besides, I’d have no reason to do it, Doctor!”</p> - -<p>“No? I gathered from Frick that there was a -sort of feud existing between you. However, that -isn’t of consequence now. I’m very glad indeed -that you are in a position to disprove his accusation. -Where were you at that time, Tucker, and -with whom?”</p> - -<p>“Between nine and——”</p> - -<p>“Well, between nine and half-past, let us say. -Frick thinks the time was perhaps nine-ten or nine-fifteen.”</p> - -<p>“I was in my room in Whitson, sir. I was doing -some geometry.”</p> - -<p>“Well occupied,” answered the Principal with a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_277"></a>[277]</span> -smile. “And your roommate was with you, I presume?”</p> - -<p>“Why, no, sir, he wasn’t,” stammered Toby. -“Arnold was at a football conference.”</p> - -<p>“Oh!” Doctor Collins sounded disappointed. -“Then between nine and, say, a quarter-past nine -you were quite alone? Did any one come into your -room about that time?”</p> - -<p>“No, sir.” Toby’s heart sank. “I think it was -a little after eight when I came down from the third -floor, and I studied until—I’m not just certain, but I -think it was about a quarter-past, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Where were you on the third floor?”</p> - -<p>“I went up to see George Tubb. He rooms in -31.”</p> - -<p>“But that was, you say, shortly after eight. At -what time did your roommate return?”</p> - -<p>Toby hesitated. Arnold had been in the room -when he got back from that second visit to Number -31, but how long he had been there Toby hadn’t -asked. Finally: “He was there a little before ten, -sir.”</p> - -<p>“Well, between the time you finished studying -and his return where were you, Tucker?”</p> - -<p>Toby was prepared for that question. If he -owned to having gone back to Tubb’s room the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_278"></a>[278]</span> -Principal would probably suggest that Tubb be -called on to verify the statement, in which case it -was more than likely that Tubb’s absence from his -room at the time when Frick was set upon would -become known. Perhaps, since Tubb was evidently -not thought of in connection with the affair, that -was not dangerous, but to Toby it seemed to offer -a clew that any one would seize on. Toby’s reply -came without hesitation.</p> - -<p>“I never left Whitson all the evening, sir, not for -a moment,” he said earnestly. “I was in the building -from the time I came back from practice until -I went to chapel this morning.”</p> - -<p>“I see. Well, I wish you had some one who could -vouch for that, Tucker. I think you are truthful, -my boy, and that Frick made a mistake, but I have -no right to accept your word above his. We’ll let -the matter rest overnight. Perhaps you will think -of some one who can testify as to your whereabouts -between nine and nine-thirty. Can you come to me -again at——” the Doctor referred to a memorandum -pad on the desk—“eleven-thirty to-morrow?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Very well, do so. I’ve no doubt we can find a -solution of the mystery between us. Good afternoon, -Tucker.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_279"></a>[279]</span></p> - -<p>Toby returned to Number 12 uneasy but not -seriously troubled. It was nonsense to suppose that -Frick would persist in his silly story in the face of -his, Toby’s, denial, or that, even if he did, the Doctor -would hold the accused guilty on such slim evidence. -Just the same, he felt none too kindly toward -George Tubb. Suppose the Principal did believe -Frick finally and—Toby frowned. “Gee, I’d -get bounced maybe!” he muttered. “Anyhow, they -wouldn’t let me play. Oh, well, Tubb will just have -to ’fess up in that case and take his medicine!”</p> - -<p>The thought that Tubb might refuse to do anything -of the sort occurred to him, but Toby put it -resolutely aside. Tubb wasn’t that sort, he assured -himself. Whatever faults Tubb might have, at -least he was square.</p> - -<p>Toby said nothing to Arnold or any one else that -evening of what was on his mind most of the time. -He considered going up and telling Tubb how matters -stood, but he couldn’t see that anything was to -be gained by that and so he didn’t. At half-past -eleven the next forenoon he went back to the Office. -Roy Frick, still bearing unmistakable signs of his -beating, was there before him. Doctor Collins got -to business at once.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_280"></a>[280]</span></p> - -<p>“Tucker, Frick says that he recognized you perfectly -the night before last. That is so, Frick?”</p> - -<p>Frick nodded, glancing at Toby from discolored -and still swollen eyes. “Yes, sir. I saw him plainly -twice. I couldn’t see the other fellow very well, -because he got me from behind. I just know that -he was tall and kind of slim. But I saw him all -right.” Frick nodded toward Toby.</p> - -<p>“What do you say, Tucker?”</p> - -<p>“Why, I can’t say anything, sir,” answered Toby -helplessly, “except that he’s wrong. I wasn’t outside -Whitson once that evening.”</p> - -<p>The Doctor looked thoughtfully from one to the -other. At last: “You say, Frick, that there has -been some sort of quarrel between you and Tucker?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir, sort of. He—he knocked me down -one day when I hadn’t done anything——”</p> - -<p>“Nothing but bounce a football off my be—off my -head! And I didn’t knock you down, and you -know it. You tried to hit me and I gave you the -shoulder and you upset. Besides, I didn’t think -any more about that.”</p> - -<p>“Is there any one else who holds a grudge against -you, Frick?” asked the Principal.</p> - -<p>“No, sir, not that I know of.” Then, catching -Toby’s look and mistaking its warning for an accusation,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_281"></a>[281]</span> -he qualified the statement. “Maybe Tubb -has it in for me a bit, but I know it wasn’t he.”</p> - -<p>“Tubb?” asked the Doctor. “Who is Tubb?”</p> - -<p>“George Tubb, sir. He’s on the First Team. We -had—he thought I did something to him intentionally -when we were playing one day.”</p> - -<p>“And you didn’t?”</p> - -<p>“Not intentionally, sir.”</p> - -<p>“And you’re certain the fellow who pummeled -you was not Tubb?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir. Tubb is thin, and this fellow was -thickish and had red—had hair like Tucker’s.”</p> - -<p>“I see. Have you found any one, Tucker, who -can confirm what you told me yesterday as to your -presence in your room between nine and half-past?”</p> - -<p>“No, sir, there isn’t any one.” Frick allowed himself -the luxury of a grin while the Principal was -not looking, but it didn’t last long. It still hurt -him to move his mouth.</p> - -<p>“Well, I don’t know,” said the Principal finally -in tones almost as helpless as Toby’s. “It sounds -to me as if there might be what you fellows would -call a ‘catch’ in this business, but on the evidence I -don’t see but what I’ll have to hold you responsible, -Tucker. If you know anything bearing on the -matter that you haven’t told me I think it would<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_282"></a>[282]</span> -be well to mention it, because, to be frank with you, -I consider this attack on Frick a particularly brutal -and underhand affair meriting severe punishment.”</p> - -<p>Toby blinked but was silent. After a moment the -Principal turned toward Frick again. “From what -you have told me I think it would be well for you to -be a little more careful in the future of your behavior -toward your fellows. I’m afraid you have -a faculty for making trouble, my boy. Should -anything more of this sort reach my ears I shall -be strongly inclined to hold you partly to blame. -That’s all for now. Good morning.”</p> - -<p>Frick withdrew and the Doctor removed his -glasses and polished them deliberately and thoughtfully. -At last, replacing them, he asked gently: -“Do you know who attacked Frick, Tucker?”</p> - -<p>Toby hesitated. After all, he didn’t know, for -Frick’s description surely exonerated Tubb. So he -shook his head and answered, “No, sir.”</p> - -<p>“But you suspect some one?” the Principal insisted.</p> - -<p>“I—I’d rather not answer, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Even if I tell you that a severe punishment -awaits the—ah—convicted person?”</p> - -<p>Toby shook his head again. Doctor Collins -sighed.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_283"></a>[283]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII<br /> -<small>TUBB ON THE TRAIL</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">It didn’t take long for the news to get around -the school. By evening it was known everywhere -that Toby Tucker was on probation -for waylaying Roy Frick and beating him up. A -good many fellows took the stand that Toby deserved -a gold medal instead of probation, even while -deploring the fact that he had employed questionable -means to wreak vengeance. Having some one -hold Frick while he punched him was not quite -sportsmanlike. Of course Toby was lost to football -for the rest of the season, although, as he was, -at most, but a third-choice quarter, the loss was not -considered serious. If Coach Lyle thought otherwise -no one knew it.</p> - -<p>Arnold was rabid when he heard the news from -Toby and was all for a swift descent on the Office -and an indignant protest backed by affidavits of -good character. Toby, however, persuaded him to -relinquish the project.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_284"></a>[284]</span></p> - -<p>“Well, then why don’t you go and finish the job -on Frick?” demanded Arnold. “At least you can -have the satisfaction of punching his fool head!”</p> - -<p>“It doesn’t seem to me,” answered Toby dryly, -“that that would be conclusive evidence of my innocence.”</p> - -<p>“Who said it would be? It would make things -a lot easier, though, wouldn’t it? It would for me, -I’ll bet! Give me leave and I’ll do it for you!”</p> - -<p>“Much obliged, but I wouldn’t get much satisfaction -out of it, I guess. No, the only thing is -to——”</p> - -<p>“What?” asked Arnold as Toby’s voice died into -silence.</p> - -<p>Toby shook his head. “Nothing. Stand it, I suppose. -After all, it doesn’t much matter. And I -don’t believe Collins will keep me on very long. I -guess he sort of half thinks I’m shielding some one -else.”</p> - -<p>“You’re not, are you?” demanded Arnold suspiciously.</p> - -<p>Toby laughed. “Well, where were you at nine -o’clock that night, Arn?”</p> - -<p>“Don’t be a gillie! I suppose you know that -Frick will get your place on the First? Mr. Lyle<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_285"></a>[285]</span> -will have to take some one over, and he’s the best -there is left, isn’t he?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. I—I hadn’t thought of that.”</p> - -<p>“Well, think of it,” growled Arnold. “Not that -it’ll do you much good!”</p> - -<p>Toby did think of it. It seemed to make things -much clearer to his mind. Whether Frick had -recognized his assailant or not, he was accusing -him because he wanted his place on the First. It -was quite simple. Frick probably thought that Toby -had no suspicion of Tubb and that Tubb would certainly -not spoil the plot by confessing. This if -Frick had recognized Tubb. Toby was inclined to -think that he had.</p> - -<p>Anyway, Frick’s scheme was a success. Toby -had not seen George Tubb and he didn’t mean to. -Tubb ought to take the blame, of course, but Toby -meant to leave the matter in his own hands. He -couldn’t altogether blame Tubb for taking vengeance -on Frick, in view of the latter’s offenses, and -while Toby had no desire to be a martyr he had -grown to like Tubb and didn’t want him to lose his -well-earned position on the School Team. So far -as it was a question of the good of the School, it -was far better for him to be punished than for -Tubb to be. His loss to the team meant very little,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_286"></a>[286]</span> -while Tubb’s absence in the Broadwood game would -be keenly felt. So, secretly, bitterly resentful toward -Frick but harboring no grudge toward any -one else, Toby took his medicine.</p> - -<p>Being on probation cut him off from many privileges, -amongst them that of seeing Yardley beat St. -John’s on Saturday. Half the school made the -journey and returned home triumphing. The score -was 12 to 0 and the game was hard-fought and -bristling with brilliant plays by both teams. Tom -Fanning, Larry Snowden and Ted Halliday came -back crowned with the laurel wreathes of heroes, -although there were few on the Blue team who -didn’t deserve high praise. Coach Lyle’s charges -had worked together and individually in a manner -to make the School proud of them, and that Saturday -evening saw a big and enthusiastic celebration -in the Assembly Hall and, later, outside. Toby -didn’t attend it, since he was forbidden to leave his -room after supper without permission from the -Office, but he watched the triumphal end of it from -his window and, although none heard but he, added -his voice to the cheering. He felt rather lonely and -rather downhearted that night, and even Arnold’s -return a little later failed to cheer him much. Arnold -was sympathetic, but to-night he was in an elated<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_287"></a>[287]</span> -mood and very full of the afternoon’s game and -the evening’s jollification, and Toby’s mood didn’t -respond.</p> - -<p>On Sunday afternoon Toby ran into George Tubb -on the stairs. They had not met save in passing -since the night of Frick’s escapade, and now of the -two, Toby was the more embarrassed. He would -have passed on up to his room, but Tubb wouldn’t -have it. “Hold on,” said Tubb. “What’s your -hurry? Let’s go for a tramp.”</p> - -<p>“Can’t, thanks, I’m in bounds just at present.” -Toby smiled to show that he didn’t mind, but Tubb -scowled.</p> - -<p>“Look here,” he said, “I want to talk to you -about that, Tucker. Come on outside somewhere. -You can walk down to the field, can’t you?”</p> - -<p>Toby could, and, after a second’s hesitation, decided -that he would. Once away from the buildings -Tubb broke forth indignantly.</p> - -<p>“Say, what sort of a game do you call that?” he -exclaimed. “You make me promise to lay off Frick, -and then you go and pound him up yourself! What’s -the big idea, Tucker? I don’t get it!”</p> - -<p>Toby stared. “And I don’t get you, Tubb,” he -said finally. “You know mighty well I didn’t touch -Frick!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_288"></a>[288]</span></p> - -<p>“You didn’t? Then who—then why—Look here, -aren’t you on pro for it?”</p> - -<p>Toby nodded. “But I didn’t do it. I don’t <em>know</em> -who did it. Do you?” Toby spoke carelessly, but -Tubb’s eyes narrowed.</p> - -<p>“Do I? Why should I? You don’t think——” -Tubb stopped and swung Toby around by the arm. -“You don’t think I did it, do you?”</p> - -<p>“Why, I haven’t said——”</p> - -<p>“That means you do! Why the dickens haven’t -you said so? What are you up to?”</p> - -<p>“Do you mean that you didn’t, Tubb?” asked -Toby incredulously.</p> - -<p>“Of course I didn’t,” was the impatient answer. -“I said I wouldn’t, didn’t I?”</p> - -<p>“You said you’d think about it.”</p> - -<p>“Well, it’s the same thing, you chump! Let’s get -this settled, Tucker. What do you know about it, -anyway?”</p> - -<p>“I thought I knew all about it,” replied Toby in -puzzlement, “but I guess I don’t know anything. -If it wasn’t you, and it wasn’t me, and Frick says -it was me, and——”</p> - -<p>“Hold up! Better begin at the beginning. I’ve -heard a lot of crazy stories about it. You tell me -it the way it was.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_289"></a>[289]</span></p> - -<p>So Toby did. And when he had finished Tubb -shook his head bewilderedly. “I don’t blame you -for suspecting me,” he said. “But I was over in -Dudley and I can prove it by two or three fellows. -And that knuckle really did get skinned just as I -told you. But that doesn’t explain the business, -does it? Some one else had it in for Frick and laid -for him. Either Frick knows who did it or he -doesn’t know. If he does know he lied to Doctor -Collins, if he doesn’t know—well, he still lied perhaps, -but he might have thought it was you, Tucker. -Is there any other chap in school that looks -like you?”</p> - -<p>Toby shrugged. “There may be. I don’t know. -I don’t suppose I know just what I look like, for -that matter. I guess there are other fellows with—with -hair like mine, though. That won’t get us anywhere.”</p> - -<p>“No, I guess not. Look here, why not go to -Frick and put it up to him? Both of us, I mean. -I don’t believe he’d dare lie if we were both there.”</p> - -<p>“Why not? He lied, if he did lie, when Doctor -Collins and I were there. Oh, there’s no use -bothering, I guess. Let’s drop it. I’m sort of glad, -though, that it wasn’t you, Tubb.”</p> - -<p>“Well, yes, but if you thought it was me why<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_290"></a>[290]</span> -didn’t you tell the Doctor so? Why did you let -him sock it to you the way he did?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, what was the use? You’d have got probation -and lost the team, and you’re too good a player -to lose.”</p> - -<p>“So that’s it?” Tubb looked away. Presently he -said gruffly: “Well, it was mighty decent of you, -Tucker. Guess I wouldn’t have done it in your -place. Much obliged, even if—if it wasn’t any -good.”</p> - -<p>“It wasn’t anything,” said Toby calmly. “I just -didn’t see any use in letting Broadwood beat us -for want of a good left end, that’s all. You’d have -done the same, though you think you mightn’t -have.”</p> - -<p>“Guess the team would have got by all right without -me,” said Tubb. “There’s Meadows, you know. -He’s pretty good, if I did beat him out for it. But, -say, we’ve got to get to the bottom of this business, -Tucker. It won’t do to let Frick get away -with it so easy. Have they taken him over to the -First in your place?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think they have yet. They will, of -course.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose so, unless we can put a spoke in his -wheel. I’m going to think this thing out, Tucker.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_291"></a>[291]</span></p> - -<p>“Help yourself. But keep away from Frick.”</p> - -<p>“We-ell, all right. Bet you I could make him -tell the truth, though,” muttered Tubb. “The toad! -You wait till we’re through with football, Tucker! -I’ll make that guy wish he’d never been born!”</p> - -<p>“I may have something to say to him myself -pretty soon,” said Toby thoughtfully. “Now that -I know I’m not getting you in trouble——”</p> - -<p>“Listen! You leave him to me,” said Tubb -earnestly. “I don’t want him all messed up when -I’m ready for him. I want him whole, Tucker. -You give me first show at him and I’ll settle affairs -for both of us. Is it a bargain?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, if you like. I want him to get what’s coming -to him, but I’m not particular who gives it to -him! Well, I must be getting back. I’ve some -work to do. This thing of being on pro has one -advantage, Tubb; it gives you a fine chance to improve -your class standing!”</p> - -<p>Monday came, and Tuesday, and although Tubb -assured Toby that he was still hopeful of clearing -up the mystery, nothing came of it. Frick went to -the First Team on Tuesday. Mass meetings were -held on the slightest provocation and the school -talked football from morning to night. The last -scrimmage between the Second Team and the First<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_292"></a>[292]</span> -was held on Wednesday and Toby went down and -looked on. The Second, not yet recovered from a -gruelling game with Latimer High School four days -before which had ended in a 7 to 7 tie, and deprived -of the services of a first-class quarter-back, was no -match for the big team and was cruelly humbled. -That was the Second’s swan-song, for when the -whistle blew for the end she cheered the First and -then cheered for herself and then, cavorting and -yelling, piled up the hill to the gymnasium while, -from the stands, followed a long cheer with three -rousing “Seconds!” on the end of it. After Wednesday, -save for “skull practice” in the gymnasium in -the evenings and a thorough signal drill on Thursday, -there was nothing to be done but wait for -Saturday and the enemy’s invasion.</p> - -<p>Toby had become fairly reconciled to his state by -Thursday, and was inclined to make fun of George -Tubb’s efforts to fasten the guilt of the assault on -the right person. But Tubb refused to give up, although -he was clearly discouraged. Or he was -until Friday. Then, just after supper, he pounced -in on Toby in Number 12 and asked a breathless -question.</p> - -<p>“Didn’t you tell me once that the guy who<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_293"></a>[293]</span> -punched you the day you fellows played Greenburg -High had red hair?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Did I? I may have. Anyway, he did.”</p> - -<p>“How big was he?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I don’t know. Why?”</p> - -<p>“Never mind why! Answer the question! Was -he bigger than you?”</p> - -<p>“N-no, about the same height, I guess, and maybe -about my build. You’re not trying to make it out -that——”</p> - -<p>“Never mind what I’m trying to do! That’s all! -Much obliged to you!” And Tubb rushed out -again.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_294"></a>[294]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV<br /> -<small>FRICK IS CALLED AWAY</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">That momentous Saturday dawned crisp -and bright. Yardley Hall School was -early afoot and there was, from the first -awakening, a flood of contagious excitement, repressed -during chapel but let loose immediately afterwards. -Breakfast, for the average boy was hilarious, -for the two dozen or so fellows who would or -might meet Broadwood in the afternoon it was a -trying ordeal at which the usual viands had lost -their flavor and where swallowing was often a painful -task. Fortunately for both faculty and students, -experience had taught the futility of holding -the usual Saturday recitations on the morning of the -Broadwood contest, and all but a very few were -abandoned.</p> - -<p>Toby awoke in excellent spirits that day. After -all, a fellow can’t have everything he wants, and -here was a corking morning, the big game at hand<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_295"></a>[295]</span> -and Yardley trained to the moment; and Toby -concluded that he had no grouch coming to him! -Besides, if playing on the School Team meant being -in such a state of mind as Arnold was in, why, one -was much better off it! For Arnold had a horrible -case of stage-fright. He fidgeted and gloomed and -was alternately a pest and a subject for the deepest -sympathy. Toby had but one recitation, at eleven, -and so, after breakfast, he set himself the task of -keeping Arnold from jumping into the river or -biting holes in the pavement. A walk seemed the -best medicine, and the two strolled down to the -tennis courts and watched there awhile and then -across the field—Toby tossing his cap over the cross-bar -of the south goal for good-luck—and went upstream -along the river bank. Of course Arnold -talked nothing but football, and Toby let him chatter -to his heart’s content. Talking appeared to -make Arnold less glum. Finally they struck inland -by the golf links and dodged balls for a half-mile on -the way back, reaching Whitson again at about ten, -unaware that a visitor had called and, finding Toby -absent, had gone his way again without leaving his -card.</p> - -<p>Arnold wandered off after a few minutes and -Toby tried to prime himself a little for the coming<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_296"></a>[296]</span> -recitation. Then, just before eleven, he clattered -downstairs and over to Oxford, pausing once or -twice to hold jerky conversation with excited -friends. Followed a harrowing half-hour, harrowing -for Mr. McIntyre, otherwise known as “Kilts,” -the mathematics instructor, and for a roomful of -restless and, for the nonce, surprisingly stupid boys. -There was an audible sigh of relief at dismissal, a -sigh that swelled to a shout as the fellows gained -the doorway and piled out onto the sunlit steps of -the old granite building. Toby lingered to talk to -Steve Lippman a minute, and there Billy Tarrant, -the assistant manager of the School Team, found -him after a long search. Tarrant pushed his way -through the crowd and grabbed Toby’s arm.</p> - -<p>“You’re wanted in commons, Tucker,” he announced. -“Get a move on!”</p> - -<p>Toby hung back. “What for?” he asked. “Who -wants me?”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Lyle. I don’t know what for. Something -about the team. Come on! I’ve been hunting you -for half an hour.”</p> - -<p>“Oh! Well, all right.” Toby followed obediently, -wondering nevertheless. Half-way, a simple explanation -presented itself. Perhaps the Yardley -fellow who was to have handled the chain in the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_297"></a>[297]</span> -game couldn’t serve, and they were going to let -him do it. Toby concluded that this was his lucky -day after all. The dining-room doors were closed, -but Tarrant thrust open the nearer one and pushed -Toby inside. The First Team crowd were seated -around the training table. Mr. Lyle was talking -and Tarrant and Toby trod on their tiptoes down -the length of the room. Andy Ryan arose and -noiselessly set chairs for the new arrivals, and -Toby seated himself gingerly, aware that many -of the gathering had glanced at him curiously and -that Arnold’s countenance was one big exclamation -point! Then, between the heads of those near him, -he caught a glimpse of George Tubb’s face, and -George was looking at him and making silent words -with his lips that Toby couldn’t read. He shook -his head helplessly and tried to listen to the coach. -Mr. Lyle was going over his instructions for the -battle in a very quiet tone. Now and then he asked -a question and some one answered, once or twice -wrongly. But Toby, consumed by curiosity, heard -little of the discourse. Even when the manager -wheeled a blackboard over and the coach made -circles and straight lines and wavy lines with a -piece of chalk, and every one else watched with -almost painful attention and in perfectly soggy silence,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_298"></a>[298]</span> -Toby just kept right on wondering why he -was there. For an outsider to be present during -these mystic rites was absolutely unheard of! For -a wild, breathless moment the idea came to him -that Doctor Collins had relented and that he had -been reinstated on the team. But that was too improbable, -too absurd for credence! Besides, there -was Roy Frick over there, looking supercilious and -self-important.</p> - -<p>Then the coach stopped talking, the blackboard -was moved back to the wall and there was a great -scraping of chairs. And almost at the same moment -the waiters came in with loaded trays and a -cold lunch was set on the table, big platters of sandwiches -and dishes of plain cake and pitchers of -steaming hot cocoa and of milk and bowls of -oranges, and every one began helping himself and -eating where he sat or stood. Every one, that is, -but Toby. Toby sat where he had been put and -looked on in puzzlement. Or he did until the coach -remembered him and, a sandwich in one hand and -a cup of cocoa in the other, came to him.</p> - -<p>“No appetite, Tucker?” he asked cheerfully. -“That won’t do. Better try some of this hot cocoa -and worry a couple of sandwiches down. I guess<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_299"></a>[299]</span> -I know how you feel, my boy, but there’s no call to -be nervous.”</p> - -<p>“No, sir,” gulped Toby. “I—I’m not nervous, -Mr. Lyle. I——”</p> - -<p>“That’s right! Wade in and get some food then. -Glad you got back to us, Tucker.” The coach turned -away again, his eye on the sandwich platter, and -Toby followed him.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Lyle!” The coach stopped. “Mr. Lyle, -will you please tell me what you—what the—what -I’m doing here?”</p> - -<p>“Eh? What you’re doing here? Why, you’re -supposed to get your luncheon, Tucker. What do -you mean?”</p> - -<p>“But—but I’m not on the team, sir, and I don’t -understand. Tarrant said you wanted me over here -and——”</p> - -<p>“Didn’t he tell you why? Didn’t Tubb tell you? -Hasn’t <em>any one</em> told you?”</p> - -<p>Toby shook his head mutely, almost apologetically.</p> - -<p>“Well!” The coach took Toby’s arm and walked -him over toward a window. “I’m sorry. Tucker,” -he said, “I thought of course you knew. Not that -I know much myself, though. All I do know is that -Tubb came bounding to me an hour or more ago<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_300"></a>[300]</span> -and told me you were square at the Office and -wanted me to put you back. He said there had been -a mistake and that you hadn’t done what you were -supposed to have done. I told him I didn’t think -you’d be an awful lot of use, after being out for -more than a week, but that I was quite willing to -have you back on the squad anyway. So I called -up the Office and found it was all right and sent -Tarrant to look for you. That’s all I know, Tucker. -If I can work you in for a minute I’ll do it, -but I make no promises. It’s sort of hard lines on -you, though, and I’ll do my best. Have you forgotten -everything you knew?”</p> - -<p>“No, sir!” gasped Toby. “Only—only I guess -you’d better not try to use me, Mr. Lyle, because I -don’t know the signals very well.”</p> - -<p>“Do you know them at all?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir, a little. I room with Deering, and he’s -coached me some so I could sort of coach him.”</p> - -<p>“Get Curran to go through them with you. I’ll -speak to him. If you’ll get them pat between now -and the last half, Tucker, I’ll see that you get your -letter. Now get some food into you.”</p> - -<p>Toby seized on as many sandwiches as one hand -would hold and poured out a glass of milk. Then<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_301"></a>[301]</span> -he made his way around the table to Tubb. “What -happened?” he whispered.</p> - -<p>Tubb grinned. “Thought you’d be over here to -ask pretty soon! I’ll tell you all about it, Tucker. -Wait till I get another hunk of cake. Cake’s pretty -good stuff when you’ve been off it a month or so! -Guess this sort won’t hurt you if you eat a loaf -of it! Now, then. Remember telling me that Frick——” -Tubb lowered his voice and glanced about -him, edging further from the throng. “Remember -telling me that Frick had a row with some of the -town boys one night a long while ago?”</p> - -<p>Toby nodded. “Arnold told me about it,” he -said.</p> - -<p>“Well. Then do you remember telling me about -a red-headed chap who punched you in the face the -day the Second played Greenburg?”</p> - -<p>Toby began to see light. “You mean he was the -one who——”</p> - -<p>“Sure! All I did was put two and two together. -Then, last night, I risked being caught out of -bounds and hunted the guy up. It wasn’t hard. The -first loafer in Greenburg I asked recognized the -description and sent me to a pool parlor. He was -there all right and I got him to come outside and -talk. He was willing to talk, too. Seems that he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_302"></a>[302]</span> -and two or three others got into a scrap with about -the same number of our fellows one evening just -across the bridge and he and Frick sort of took to -each other and were having a merry scrap until -Frick pulled something hard from a pocket and -cut this chap’s scalp open. Sheehan—that’s the -guy’s name—says he thinks Frick used a bunch of -keys or something like that. He doesn’t think it -was a knife, anyway. Our fellows got away—or -the others did, and that ended it. Sheehan says it -was a nice little scrap, only Frick shouldn’t have -sprung the ‘rough stuff’! So he got sore and decided -he’d lay for Frick and get even. Says he -tried three or four times, but each time he saw Frick -there were fellows with him. But the other night -he found him and got him!”</p> - -<p>“He oughtn’t to have done it the way he did, -though. I mean it was sort of rotten to have some -one else hold Frick while——”</p> - -<p>“Huh! That’s the joker, Tucker!”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?”</p> - -<p>“There wasn’t any other fellow! Sheehan got -as sore as a pup when I said something about that. -Says he was alone and that every time he knocked -Frick down he had to lift him up again! Says -Frick was game, all right, but had to beg off finally.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_303"></a>[303]</span> -Then Sheehan found his cap for him and went -with him almost to the top of the Prospect because -he was pretty wobbly on his pins.”</p> - -<p>“What do you know!” exclaimed Toby. “But -why——”</p> - -<p>“Because he didn’t want any one to know that he’d -been licked in a fair fight. And, another thing, -Tucker: I asked Sheehan if Frick knew who he -was fighting with, and Sheehan said, sure he did, -that he took pains to tell him! So, you see, friend -Frick lied all the way through. When he got to -thinking things out he saw that if he could put -the blame on you he’d get you off the team and -probably get your place.”</p> - -<p>“I guess so,” agreed Toby. “I’m most awfully -much obliged to you, Tubb. You’re a perfect brick -to take so much trouble and——”</p> - -<p>“Ginger! I enjoyed it. I tried to find you this -morning the first chance I got, but you were off -somewhere. So I went right over to the Office and -waited around and saw the Doctor and told him the -whole yarn. I offered to get Sheehan up here if the -Doctor would agree not to make trouble for him. -Sheehan was sort of afraid he might be arrested or -something, I guess. But the Doctor said he’d take -my word for it. After that I looked for you again,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_304"></a>[304]</span> -but you had a class, I guess, and then it was time to -come over here. And that’s the whole business. -How do I stand as a Sherlock W. Holmes?”</p> - -<p>“A1,” laughed Toby. “But, listen, what about -Frick? What did the Doctor say about him?” Toby -looked around in search of that youth but couldn’t -see him.</p> - -<p>“No use looking for him,” chuckled Tubb. “He -went out five minutes ago. Some one came to the -door and called him. Don’t believe we’ll see him -again for awhile! He will be lucky if they let him -stick around. I wouldn’t be surprised if he got -fired, though. It might be just as well for him if -he did,” Tubb added grimly, “because if he’s around -here the day after to-morrow he’s going to be -awfully sorry for some of the things he’s done!”</p> - -<p>“All over to the gym!” called Andy Ryan.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_305"></a>[305]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV<br /> -<small>FOURTH DOWN</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="cap">For thirty minutes of actual playing time the -Blue of Yardley and the Green of Broadwood -had advanced and retreated up and -down the trampled field of battle. And now the -fifteen minute intermission was nearing its end and -the rival cheering sections ceased their songs and -the cheer leaders, megaphones in hand, watched the -slope for sight of the returning warriors. Then -the cheers broke forth and the squads trotted down -the hill, Yardley in the lead, and blue flags waved -and green pennants fluttered and pandemonium -reigned. On the scoreboard no chalked figures followed -the names of the contenders, for neither side -had scored. Never perhaps in the history of the -schools had their teams waged a closer conflict. -Not once had the ball been inside either twenty-five-yard -line in scrimmage, not once had the Blue or -the Green seriously threatened the opposing goal. -It had been a hard-fought, gruelling battle in mid-field,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_306"></a>[306]</span> -the ball constantly changing hands. No errors -of judgment had given advantage, no fumbles had -marred the almost perfect play. Twice penalties -had been exacted, once from each team. Machine-like -smoothness, thorough teamwork had been the -order all through the first two periods, and individual -brilliancy had been subordinated. Both -teams seemed loath to break away from the safety -of old-style football, and line-plunges interspersed -with dashes outside tackle had ruled. Once Broadwood -had tried a forward-pass, but it had failed -and she had not attempted a second. It was still -anybody’s game.</p> - -<p>Neither side made any changes as the third period -started. For Yardley the line-up was still as before: -Tubb, Fanning, Rose, Simpson, Casement, -Bryan, Halliday, Noyes, Roover, Deering, Snowden. -It was Broadwood’s kick-off and Yardley -hustled the ball back to her twenty and went at the -line again. The Green stopped her for seven yards -and Snowden punted to the rival’s twenty-odd. -Broadwood tried the left end and made four, tried -the center and lost two, sent her backs at right -tackle and gained three, and punted to Yardley’s -forty. Deering caught and skirted back ten before -he was upset. Roover got two past right tackle and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_307"></a>[307]</span> -three inside right guard. Deering fought through -for two more. Snowden punted. And so it went -while the precious minutes sped.</p> - -<p>On the bench, huddled in sweater and blanket, -Toby watched anxiously with the others. And as -he watched he strove to keep in mind the lesson that -Curran had been teaching him since an hour before -the game. The new signals were simple, but there -were three sequences that wouldn’t stay put in his -mind. Of course, it probably didn’t matter much -whether he remembered them or didn’t, for it was -safe to say that the coach would not let him in until -the game was either well won or lost beyond the -possibility of recovery. But it was like Toby to -keep hammering away just the same.</p> - -<p>Noyes misjudged a punt, his first error, and for -a long and anxious four minutes Broadwood hovered -about the Blue’s thirty-yards, the ball in her -possession. Then the second forward-pass of the -game was intercepted by Tubb, and, although he -could not get away, he clung tightly to it when -tackled and a moment later Snowden had again -punted far down the field. Ten minutes had passed -of the precious thirty left. Broadwood, fighting -back, piled through Yardley’s center for six yards -and the green pennants waved and Broadwood<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_308"></a>[308]</span> -voices shouted their triumph. Noyes, limping and -white-faced, came off and Winfield took his place -at quarter and the Green made her distance for the -third time that day. But she was still on her own -ground. A full-back run ended disastrously and she -punted to Winfield on his own thirty-seven and that -slim youth dodged and weaved his way through half -the opposing team and was only downed when -twenty yards lay behind him. Yardley implored a -touchdown in measured chorus. With three to go -on fourth down, Yardley hesitated. Before she -had decided the whistle signaled the end of the -quarter.</p> - -<p>On the stands the supporters of the Blue spoke -sadly or hopefully of a no-score game. The teams -sought the water buckets and lined up once more. -But now there were new faces in the opposing -ranks. Both sides had begun to call on their reserves. -Snow went in for Casement and Candee -for Simpson on the Blue team and Broadwood put -in a new end and a new half-back.</p> - -<p>Winfield called for the three yards on a double-pass -play that sent Deering outside left tackle and -just failed of the distance. Broadwood opened up -her play then. Two forward-passes were tried, of -which the first failed and the second won a short<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_309"></a>[309]</span> -ten yards. A fake-kick, with the quarter holding -the pigskin, added seven more. Yardley rooters -watched in silent agony now. The Green piled -through for the rest of the distance and the Broadwood -stands went crazy with joy. But there was -still a long way to go and Yardley found herself -again after another play or two and held for downs -when six inches would have given Broadwood a -new life. Then came a wild and thrilling end run -by Deering that took the ball over four white lines -and placed it on Broadwood’s thirty-six. But a fumble -by the Blue’s quarter spoiled it and Broadwood -recovered the ball. Three attempts netted little and -the ball sailed back up the field. Winfield again -misjudged and the pigskin went over his head and -trickled closer and closer to the Blue’s goal-line, -Deering and Winfield in pursuit and two eager -Broadwood ends almost upon them. It was Arnold -who fell on the ball safely just short of his fifteen-yard-line -and who clung to it stoutly while the -enemy pounced down on him.</p> - -<p>“Six minutes left,” growled Curran, at Toby’s -side. “Why don’t we open up? Winfield acts as -if we hadn’t a play in the bag but line-plunges!”</p> - -<p>Noyes, nearby, almost too wearied to hold up -his head, grunted.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_310"></a>[310]</span></p> - -<p>“They know everything we’ve got, Curran,” he -said. “Watch them when we give the signals. -They’re wise to every move! And those backs are -wonders! We can’t get away from ’em.”</p> - -<p>“Well, we might try!” retorted Curran savagely. -“No use lying down, is there? There we go, back -at the old hammer again! What’s Tom up to? Oh, -Winfield’s coming off. You in again? But you -can’t. Who’s Mr. Lyle after? It’s you, Tucker! -Boy, it’s you! Remember those signals and shake -it up, Tucker, shake it up!”</p> - -<p>“Tucker! Come on, come on!” Mr. Lyle was -calling and beckoning. Toby, with heart pounding -and his throat hot, ran to him on the side-line. -“Here’s your chance. Know the signals? Good! -Get in there and put some punch into that team. -Tell Fanning I say he’s got to open up. Tell him -the time’s come to score! Give ’em some running -plays, boy. Put ginger into that bunch. Here, -Snow! Go in for Casement. All right, Tucker! -Beat it!”</p> - -<p>Cheers and more cheers, cheers for Winfield and -for Casement, cheers for the substitutes speeding -on, cheers from across the field, a medley of mad -sound that beat on Toby’s ears like a cataract. -Then he was in the squad, Fanning twitching him<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_311"></a>[311]</span> -aside, Arnold thumping him on the back, Snowden, -white and gasping, patting his shoulder imploringly. -“Let me get at ’em, Tucker, will you? Let me try -’em, will you? Let me——”</p> - -<p>“Shut up, Larry! What’s the word?” Tom Fanning -pulled Toby away. Toby gave the message.</p> - -<p>“All right! Open her up! We’ve tried their line -until we’re sick of it! There’s six minutes yet, -nearly. Come on, Yardley! Let’s get it, let’s get -it! We can do it! What do you say?”</p> - -<p>“<em>Signals!</em>” shrilled Toby, his voice pitching itself -up amongst the clouds as it seemed to him. “<em>Signals!</em>”</p> - -<p>It was Yardley’s ball on third down near her -twenty, with five to go. Snowden got four of that -five and then two more, making it first down on the -twenty-five. Then began a march up the field that -is still spoken of with bated breath at Yardley. It -was a march against time. To the middle of the -field went the Blue without a halt. Substitutes went -into the opposing line and back-field, but still Yardley -advanced. Snowden was the hero of that advance, -Snowden first and then Deering, for it was -Arnold who got away from Broadwood’s forty-four -and plunged onward to her twenty-six. And -after that it was Snowden again and then Lamson<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_312"></a>[312]</span> -and again Snowden, and the teams were on the -twelve yards. Broadwood was fighting for time, -delaying all she dared. The two minutes had been -announced when Toby gave the ball to Snowden for -a final slide off tackle on the left that, if it went -right, would place the ball well in front of the goal. -And it did go right, although it took the last ounce -of Snowden’s strength and he had to be literally -carried off the field.</p> - -<p>Watson was hustled on in his place and Yardley -was cheering wildly, exultantly for a score. The -ball lay just over the ten-yard line now. Four -downs would spell victory or defeat. Less than a -minute remained. Fanning, almost ready to drop -in his tracks, whispered hoarsely of a drop-kick. -Toby, seeing his condition, knew he would never -make it and shook his head. Fanning didn’t insist. -Perhaps he was a bit relieved that he need not make -the effort.</p> - -<p>“We’ll put it over,” declared Toby confidently. -“We can do it!”</p> - -<p>But Broadwood had massed her defenses solidly -and when, fighting now against time as well as -against the enemy’s desperate resistance, Deering -had plunged to the left off tackle with scarcely a -yard to show for it, Toby’s confidence was disturbed.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_313"></a>[313]</span> -The Broadwood stand cheered relievedly, -exultantly. Tired warriors staggered to position. -A babel of shrill cries arose, the referee’s dominating -all.</p> - -<p>“<em>Second, and nine to go!</em>”</p> - -<p>Toby studied the opposing defense, a forward -pass in mind, but Broadwood was set for such a -trick. It would never go, and if it failed the Green -would have the ball as sure as shooting. The pigskin -was opposite the left hand goal-post now and, -lest a field-goal should prove the last resort, it must -be kept centered. Toby thought hard and fast and -then shrilled his signals. Heming, who had taken -Snowden’s place, hurled himself at the living wall -and floundered into it for nearly two yards. Broadwood -and Yardley cheers mingled.</p> - -<p>“Roover back!” yelped Toby. “67—33—21!” -He looked about at the drawn, intense faces of the -three backs. “Make it good! 67—33—21—111——”</p> - -<p>Toby slapped the ball into Roover’s arms, dug in -behind him and followed, floundering, pushing, -panting. The Green’s defense wavered, gave, held -again. Grunts and groans and hoarse breathings -filled the air, and through them the shrill piping of -the whistle came.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_314"></a>[314]</span></p> - -<p>“<em>Third and seven to go!</em>”</p> - -<p>The fake-kick had failed to fool the enemy. -Toby looked almost despairingly along the line, -searching for some telltale sign in a Broadwood -countenance that would hint of failing strength, but -he saw none. Distress there was in plenty, but grim -determination as well. Seven yards still to go and -but two downs left! If only Snowden had remained -to try the field-goal! Roover might do it, -but Roover was spent and reeling. A horrid fear -that failure was to be their portion took possession -of Toby for an instant and his heart sank. But -the instant passed and he raised his voice cheerfully, -encouragingly:</p> - -<p>“That’s the stuff, Yardley! One more like that -and we’re over! They’re quitting! Get into this -hard! Here’s where we win! Signals!”</p> - -<p>Heming again, with Roover once more back in -kicking position, Heming smashing at the opposing -right guard, stopping, edging on, and again stopping, -with every Broadwood defender massed before -him, thrusting, grunting, fighting like mad. -And again the whistle and the quick voice of the -referee.</p> - -<p>“<em>Fourth down! Five and a half to go!</em>”</p> - -<p>“<em>Twelve seconds!</em>” shouted some one.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_315"></a>[315]</span></p> - -<p>“Come on, Yardley!” shrieked Toby. “Get in -there, Snow! Let’s finish it! You’ve got to do it -this time! It’s your last chance, fellows! Hold -that line now! Hold it! Roover back!”</p> - -<p>The Broadwood defense widened, the backs -spread, the ends poised to dash around on the -kicker. And Toby, noting, was triumphant. Something -had called back to memory that day when, -volunteering to play quarter on the second and -finding his mind blank of plays, he had unwittingly -sent a half straight into the line and made the distance. -It was the unexpected that won then, he -reflected, and now it must be the unexpected to win -again. Broadwood was certain that the enemy -would not waste her last chance on a line assault -with more than five yards to go. Broadwood -looked for a try-at-goal or, failing that, a short, -quick heave over the line. Toby looked around. A -half must take the ball, for the play must go fast. -He wanted Arnold, but Arnold was not fit for the -task. Heming, fresher, his young face white with -excitement and longing under the streaks of dirt, -must make the attempt. Toby called the signals. -The tense bodies stiffened. The ball shot back from -center to Heming. Roover feigned to catch and -kick. The Broadwood ends came racing in. Confusion<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_316"></a>[316]</span> -reigned, <a href="#i_frontis">and in the very center of it, plunging, -fighting</a>, the Yardley ends and backs behind -him, <a href="#i_frontis">was Heming</a>.</p> - -<p>Straight at center he had gone. There was no -hole awaiting him, but the assault was so sudden, -so unexpected that the enemy gave and he went -smashing through. Then the Broadwood backs -threw themselves to the rescue and the line held. -For a moment the advance paused and the referee’s -whistle went to his lips, and in that moment Roover -charged in behind the struggling wedge, the mass -moved forward again, a foot, a yard, faster, and -yet faster! And then, suddenly the defense fell to -pieces and Heming, his head and shoulders well -above the sea of writhing bodies, shot forward and -down and was gone from sight. And from the -Yardley stands arose a straining shout that reached -even Toby, buried deep in the wake of the victory!</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>A few minutes later, when goal had been tried for -and missed, when cheers were hurtling up at a -shadowing sky and the field of battle was a mad -scene of Yardley rejoicing, Toby, rather the worse -for wear, got to his feet, assisted by Arnold and -Tubb, while about them an impatient mob waited to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_317"></a>[317]</span> -seize them and carry them off. He cast an apologetic -look at Arnold.</p> - -<p>“I’m awfully sorry, Arn,” he panted.</p> - -<p>“Sorry for what?” demanded the other.</p> - -<p>“That fourth down. I wanted you to have the -ball, Arn, but I didn’t dare. You were too done -up. It had to be Heming, honest!”</p> - -<p>“Oh, forget it, old dear! Of course it had to be -Heming! What do you suppose I care? We won, -didn’t we?”</p> - -<p>“Did we?” exclaimed Tubb exultantly. “<em>Did -we!</em> Why, say——”</p> - -<p>“Then that’s all right,” said Toby happily. “I -was afraid——”</p> - -<p>But Toby’s fear was never voiced then, for the -waiting mob descended on them and rude hands -hoisted them aloft, and Toby, bobbing about above -the heads of the laughing, shouting, pushing throng, -knew for a moment a joy of triumph as great as -Alexander’s after the Battle of Issus!</p> - - -<p class="p2 noic">THE END</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="tnote"> -<p class="noi tntitle">Transcriber’s Notes:</p> - -<p class="smfont">Printer’s, punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently - corrected.</p> - -<p class="smfont">Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved.</p> - -<p class="smfont">Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved.</p> -</div> - -<pre style='margin-top:6em'> -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOURTH DOWN! *** - -This file should be named 63892-h.htm or 63892-h.zip - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/8/9/63892/ - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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