Dick, however, feigned not to hear this. He was rushing to his locker, from which he began to haul the various parts of his rig.
"Is it a crime to let young Prescott go on the field?" asked Coach
Morton anxiously.
"No," replied Dr. Bentley hesitatingly. "It might be a greater crime to keep him off the gridiron today. Men have been known to die of grief."
Probably a football player never had more assistance in togging up for a game. Those who couldn't get in close enough to help Dick dress growled at the others for keeping them out.
"You seem uneasy, Coach," murmured Captain Wadleigh, aside.
"I am."
"I can't believe, sir, that a careful man like Dr. Bentley would let Prescott go on at left end today, if there was good reason why Prescott shouldn't. As we know, from the past, Dick Prescott has wonderful powers of recuperation."
"If Prescott should go to pieces, Captain, whom will you put forward in his places"
"Dalzell, sir. He's speedy, even if not as clever as Prescott or Drayne."
"I'm glad you've been looking ahead, Captain. Out I hope Prescott will hold out, and suffer no injury whatever from this day's work."