Arlington walked out, smiling and confident, resolved to clinch his own game then and there. As a result of his overconfidence Factor was able to make him swing ineffectively twice and might have struck him out had he not lost control and hit Chet with the ball.
This filled the bases.
Grace called for “time” and walked into the diamond.
“See here, Bill Factor,” he said under his breath, “if you’re off your trolley you had better go to the bench. I will put Peterson in.”
“Don’t,”[“Don’t,”] begged Factor. “I’m all right! I can win this game!”
“Play ball! Play ball!” roared the cadets.
“Dear me!” shouted Ted Smart, waving his arms in the air. “It can’t be you’re frightened! Why, of course you’re not frightened! We know you will win! You can’t help winning! It’s just as easy as can be. You’re only playing a lot of kids, you know.”
“Poor old Factor! Poor old Factor!” sang a lot of the cadets in unison.
“I will give you one more show,” growled Grace. “It’s your last chance!”
This knowledge did not add to Factor’s steadiness, and, after having one strike and two balls called, Gardner tucked in a beautiful little single that scored two men.