“I’d what?” inquired Dan, aware of his friend’s confusion.

“Oh, that you’d quit and call the whole thing off,” said Ned.

“Would you?”

“I don’t know,” replied Ned in a low voice.

“I have thought of it,” said Dan quietly.

“We all know that. But don’t you do it.”

“Why not?”

“We’ll need you in the pitcher’s box, for one thing.”

“That’s what Walter thought when he got his father to take me up. You know Walter was behind the whole thing.”