The Invincible team had arrived at the same philosophical conclusion. When they came back they bowed mockingly to the purple gallery, and cheered, in pantomime, below the mystic purple banner. They won a goal in spite of the disconcerting appearance on the freshman railing of a tiny yellow-haired child dressed as a purple Queen of Hearts. But when a whole family of white rabbits popped out at once, in assorted sizes, across the length of the purple gallery, they resigned themselves good-naturedly to the loss of not one goal only but two. When the banner unfurled again, this time with rabbit heads in the oval spaces, the prize center of the Invincibles happened to be facing it, and, being already half hysterical with weariness, she crumpled up with mirth. Before her sub. could trot out to the center field, the whistle had sounded the end of the great game. Score five to four in the freshmen’s favor, fouls accounting for the extra points.
“Do the stunts all over again and maybe we’ll forgive you,” Fluffy sang across to the purple gallery. After the mascots had appeared once more, amid much applause, there was a rush for the gym. floor.
The players were all carried round the gym. on their partisans’ shoulders, and Montana Marie O’Toole, smiling as serenely as though it were an every-day occurrence, also got her promised ride.
As she was let carefully down to the floor again, she found herself face to face with Straight Dutton.
“I say,” began Straight, “did you think of all that nonsense?”
Marie flashed her a knowing smile. “You’re too flattering, Miss Dutton, I assure you,” she parried.
“Not at all,” said Straight with asperity. “I think the whole performance was extra-specially silly. It just spoiled the game. You’ve won technically, of course, but not by playing ball.”
Montana Marie thrust her smiling face, topped by the huge purple bow, close to Straight’s flushed, tired one. “Don’t you tell a soul, and I’ll tell you a secret,” she whispered impressively.
“Cross my heart,” promised Straight eagerly.
“Well, then, I’m sorry you lost,” whispered Montana Marie. “All my best friends are seniors, and I hate to see them looking so blue. Now don’t you tell!” Montana Marie joined a band of dancing freshmen and was whisked off down the gym.