"Well, we're hardly team material," objected Dave modestly. "However, I'll promise for myself and Dalzell, too, that we'll turn out to all the practice we can, and work like blazes!"
"Will you?" cried Midshipman Hepson delightedly. He jumped up, grasping each midshipman by the hand in turn.
"But you don't want to bank on us too much," Darrin continued. "You know, we've never played on anything as big as the Navy team. We used to be good enough little players on a country school team. But it's different here."
"Let the coaches and the captain find that out, then," grunted Hepson. "But you'll work? You'll try to make good? You'll try to make the team and some history?"
"We'd lay down our lives for the Navy, at any point and in any sort of game," rejoined Dave Darrin simply.
"Good! Bully! That's the way I like to hear a fellow talk!" glowed Hepson, making toward the door. "You'll turn out for practice to-morrow afternoon?"
"Without fail, if we're physically able," promised Midshipman Darrin.
"Awfully obliged to you, fellows," cried Hepson, throwing the door open. "And now you won't mind if I cut my visit short? I've a lot of fellows to see, you know."
The door banged and Hepson was gone.
"Say, how's the Navy going to win under a chap as nervous as Hepson?" asked Dan.