David recognized the force of the argument and at the same time felt that there was something distasteful in Lester’s readiness to lay hold of it. He wondered why it was distasteful, and could not answer, except that perhaps it represented a too egotistical and self-centered point of view, one that was concerned with Lester’s future fortunes rather than with the success of the team.
David’s own football performance was after all successful enough to satisfy his modest soul. His team won the class championship, defeating first the juniors and then the freshmen; David’s part in the victories was conspicuous. He played at left end and was the strongest player both in attack and in defense; when the deciding game had been won his team mates bore him from the field in triumph, and the senior class, assembling in front of the locker building, made his name the climax of their cheers. That was gratifying enough to David; perhaps it brought as much pleasure to the blind man and the girl who lingered beyond the edge of the crowd. David had caught a glimpse of them among the spectators when he had chased a ball that was kicked out of bounds; he had felt at the moment a fresh flow of affection for Mr. Dean, a sudden warm sense of Katharine Vance’s charm. He carried the ball out and threw himself with new enthusiasm into the next play. The interest that had caused those two to come and see this game—it must be well repaid!
After he had dressed he hurried home—not to his college room, but to his mother’s house. He found Katharine and Mr. Dean recounting his achievements to a proud woman whose hands trembled so that she could hardly make tea.
“David,” she said, “I couldn’t come and see you play; I’m always so frightened for fear you’ll get hurt. They tell me you did splendidly.”
“The team did,” said David. “Weren’t you people nice to come down!”
“Katharine is an excellent interpreter,” remarked Mr. Dean. “I never had a better pair of eyes. As for my ears, they were quite gratified by what they heard at the end. It was a pity, Mrs. Ives, that you missed that feature of the occasion.”
“Yes,” said David, pleased and embarrassed. “Wasn’t it silly of the crowd?”
“If it was, then Mr. Dean and I were silly, too,” said Katharine. “We hoped you heard us, we came out so strong on ‘I-i-i-ives!’ at the end. I think that Mrs. Ives ought to know just how it sounded, don’t you, Mr. Dean?”
“Quit it!” cried David; but Mr. Dean chuckled and said:
“Quite right, Katharine; you lead the cheering, and I’ll come in.”