Carol watched the pitcher closely. She edged away from the base. The baseman followed. It all happened very suddenly. Carol in her exuberance and confidence in having stolen to second base once, thought she could do the same thing again. The pitcher was watching the strange motions of the girl at first base when Carol dived for the home plate. With lightning rapidity the pitcher whirled and tossed the ball. In a cloud of dust and cinders Carol slid into the catcher.
“Out!” the umpire said firmly, indisputably.
The Sophomores were jubilant, their team had won! The Freshmen were downcast, but they did their best to hide it.
“Of all the dizzy tricks——” Carol derided herself.
“You did great,” Janet defended surprisingly. “We gave them a thrill anyway.”
“But I had to spoil our big chance,” Carol wailed. “If I had only waited——”
“What’s the difference?” Valerie said gayly. “They only beat us by one point.”
“And I hit the ball,” Janet reminded her friend. “What did you say about my not being able to even see it?”
“I take it all back,” Carol said humbly. Then she bristled with indignation. “I think I was safe at home, and I also think the umpire was on the Sophomores’ side!”
“Tush!” Janet said. “Let’s change and join Gale and Phyl.”