“Th-three inches mum-mum-more and I’d ha-had it!” groaned the sorrowful fellow. “I lul-lost the gug-game!”
“Nothing of the sort!”
“Yes, I did!”
“I lost it myself. I couldn’t control the ball, and I gave that batter one just where he wanted it.”
“It’s all right for you to sus-say that, Merry; but I didn’t cuc-catch that fly.”
“No fielder could have caught it, and not one in a thousand could have touched it.”
Still Gamp blamed himself.
Hodge had flung aside the mask and body protector. He glared at Joe as the tall fellow came up.
“Why didn’t you get your paws onto that ball?” he snarled.
“I ought to,” said Joe.