As the girls grouped around her for final instructions, the teacher showed by her voice that she was vexed. “You’re not getting into it, girls! Marjorie Wilkinson, you act as if you were half asleep,—and Margaret and Elsie,” she said, addressing two of the half-backs, “you never should have let that ball slip through. Now brace up, and win this half!”
The game started; but with little more promise of success. Finally Marjorie got the ball and started down the field. But she was attacked by the opposing forward, who sent the ball flying past Marjorie and past the half-back. But Lily Andrews was on the alert; with all her might she hit the ball and sent it back to her forwards. Everyone clapped.
“A yell for Lily Andrews!” called the cheerleader; and a hearty one was given.
But the forward who was playing against Marjorie on the opposing team was not to be easily daunted. She succeeded in getting the ball again, and this time she aimed it towards the other side of the field from that on which Lily was playing. She sent it past the other full-back and into the goal! Miss Martin’s girls rose in a body and cheered and cheered for their forward. The score was now 4–0.
A final chance was given to Miss Allen’s girls to score when one of the opposing team made a foul, and Marjorie was chosen to make a free shot; but either she had been keeping too late hours, or else she was too nervous; for she missed it. The whistle blew, and the score remained 4–0.
The girls shook hands and crowded around Miss Phillips. She congratulated Miss Martin’s girls, but said nothing to her own team. It was plain to be seen that she was disappointed.
Marjorie and Lily walked together towards the gymnasium.
“You were splendid, Lily!” said Marjorie. “If it hadn’t been for you, the score would have been a good deal worse than it was.”
“Thanks,” said Lily, “but that doesn’t make me feel better about the defeat.”
“It was a lot my fault,” admitted Marjorie. “I certainly played badly.”