Luce was anything but mortified. A gleam of exultation lit up his eyes as he swung the bat exultantly over his head. In a swift outburst of old college enthusiasm he forgot most of his dignity as a submaster.
"Wow!" yelled the coach. "That was a bird! A lulu-cooler and a scalp-taker! Ripley, I reckon you're the new cop that runs the beat!"
It took the High School onlookers a few seconds to gather the full importance of what they had seen. Then a wild cheer broke loose:
"Ripley? Oh, Ripley'll pitch for the nine!" surged up on all sides.
CHAPTER X
DICK & CO. TAKE A TURN AT FEELING GLUM
"What's the matter with Ripley?" yelled one senior.
And another answered, hoarsely:
"Nothing! He's a wonder!"
Fred Ripley was unpopular. He was regarded as a cad and a sneak. But he could pitch ball! He could give great aid in bringing an unbroken line of victories to Gridley. That was enough.