“What is it?”
“I fancied I heard the rumble of Carker’s pet earthquake,” answered Merry gravely.
Greg flushed, then exclaimed:
“That’s all right, Merry; but the time is coming when you will hear and feel something more than a distant rumbling and a faint tremor. The time is coming when——”
“Will—you—let—up!” shouted Greg’s college friends, in unison, and the ardent young Socialist relapsed into despairing silence.
CHAPTER XXV.
THE NINE AT PRACTISE.
The following morning the principal Denver newspaper contained the following:
“FRANK MERRIWELL ACCEPTS.
“Mr. Editor.
“Dear Sir: While reading your paper yesterday I was somewhat surprised to see the challenge of Mr. David Morley, manager of the Denver Reds. While it is true that I have a number of my friends with me at the present time and have contemplated playing ball, it is not true that I have taken special pains to pick a nine, or that I have publicly expressed an intention of ‘wiping up the earth with everything I can find west of the Mississippi.’ It seems to me that Mr. Morley’s challenge is couched in language that is not only offensive, but is likewise insulting. My ball-team has not played together this season, and therefore is not in its best form. Nevertheless, I am willing to meet the Reds, and we will do our best to make the game interesting. As we are out for sport and not to make money, I decline to play the game for a special purse; but I am willing to make an agreement that the winning team shall take the entire gate-receipts.