"Who are the other candidates for pitcher?" asked Laura.
"Well, Ripley's one," replied Dave.
"Ripley? Oh, he!" uttered Miss Bentley, in a tone of scorn.
"I understand he's no fool of a pitcher," Dick remarked.
"I congratulate him, then," smiled Laura.
"On what?"
"Not being a fool in everything," returned Laura. Then she added, quickly:
"I'm afraid that expresses my real opinion, but I've no right to say it."
"There are two reasons why you shouldn't say it," added Dave, gravely.
"What are they?" Laura wanted to know.