“No, that wouldn’t do—it would mix up the schedule. So I suppose we shall have to leave it at that—Mr. Bridges is willing to serve the first half. Will you ask your brother to serve the second?”
“He hasn’t gym shoes,” replied Marjorie doubtfully. “Besides, I don’t think he would want to——”
“Well, find out and let me know; if he isn’t willing, the other man can go through with the entire game.”
Marjorie hurried out in search of her brother for the clock informed her that the game was about to begin. As she had thought, he absolutely refused to act, on the plea of lack of knowledge.
“I don’t know the fine points of girls’ rules,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to make a mistake in front of all these people.”
Marjorie sighed; the very worst had happened, she felt. But again she made up her mind not to let the girls see that she was disturbed; she would show them only confidence and determination to win.
She noticed that the girls, usually so self-possessed in any circumstance, were exceedingly nervous as they stepped out on the floor to warm up; indeed, Stella and Queenie were actually trembling. They chewed gum continuously, and rushed back and forth from one player to another, grasping the ball, shooting at the baskets, darting over to Jack now and again for a last word of encouragement or advice. She smiled over at Lily, who, like herself, was absolutely calm and unaffected by the excitement. It seemed hardly possible to her that these were the same girls who had ridiculed them so nonchalantly not three months ago on the same floor.
Fortunately for her team, all of the opponents were not so tall or so heavy as the girl they had met in the hall, and Marjorie was thankful to learn that this girl played in the center. Without being conceited about her own skill, she nevertheless felt entirely confident that she would outjump and outrun the other. Suddenly she felt her spirits rising; if her own team remembered the signals and the passing that Jack had drilled them with, they had a good chance of victory.
At last the referee’s whistle blew and the girls scrambled for their places, Marjorie within the circle alert for the toss-up. The ball whizzed into the air; quick as a flash Marjorie jumped high, and, in spite of her opponent’s advantage, touched it and tapped it back. Dot, true to her instructions, dashed back to receive it, secured it, and threw it swiftly over the heads of the opposing guards right into the hands of tall Annie Marshall. As had been pre-arranged, Annie passed it to Queenie, who was at that very moment cutting for the basket. She caught it deftly and tossed it into the basket, scoring for her team two points.
Loud shouts of applause rose from the balcony, admiration for the team play, the clever, swift passing, the assurance of the girls of this new troop. Jack Wilkinson rubbed his hands in delight; they were carrying out his instructions to the very letter.