The coach smiled. “Did you give him any directions as to where he should stand?”
“Why, no, I let him take his own position.”
“Then, do you know that those three flies, coming in two innings, were in totally different parts of the field?”
“What of it?” asked Sands, perplexed.
“Why, the boy has a good fielder’s instinct; he guesses well where the batter is likely to hit.”
“That may be luck,” replied the captain, thoughtfully.
“In my opinion, at least, there is no question as to the men,” said the coach, rather curtly. “Poole is better at the bat, better as a fielder, and better in another respect.”
“What’s that?”
“He takes good care of himself.” And with this last opinion Sands had to agree.
On Thursday and Friday the team practiced as usual, Poole batting with the squad, and catching flies with the out-field. Taylor was back in his place.