"And our field is all lumpy," said Phil. "The doctor is going to have it leveled off next spring."
"Then let us go in for that gold cup!" cried Sam Day. And several others echoed the sentiment.
A regular meeting of the football club was called that night, and it was decided, after consulting Dr. Clay, to accept the Rockville challenge to play on the Mongrace grounds. A letter was accordingly written and forwarded the next Monday.
"Now we have got to brace up and practise," said the captain of the eleven.
"I wish you could get rid of two of our poorest players and take on Babcock and Henshaw," remarked Dave. "Those two would help us wonderfully."
"They both want to come in," answered the senator's son. "But I don't see how I can drop any of our present members after the way they have worked."
"Yes, I know that wouldn't be fair."
"I've already taken them on as substitutes. Maybe they'll get in the game after all," went on Roger.
Practice began in earnest during that week and all did their best to follow the coaching they got from the first assistant teacher, Andrew Dale, who had been both a college player and a coach. The play was a trifle mixed at times, but the boys worked with a will and that counted for a good deal. But then came a letter calling one of the players home, to attend the funeral of an uncle.
"I've got to leave the eleven," said Luke Watson. "You'll have to get somebody to take my place."