"Hi, Mack!" yelled Frank as the substitute back was discovered. "Where you going?... Wait a minute!"
The team members looked Mack's way, apparently much interested.
"They're probably curious to know what's happened," thought Mack, a peculiar sort of numbness taking possession of him ... a numbness which was making him insensible to bitterness and disappointment. But Mack had no desire to mix with his fellows and hurried his footsteps toward the exit gate.
"Hold on, Carver!" Assistant Coach Darby shouted after him.
Mack came to a stop and looked back, wonderingly. Darby hurried, over, followed by Varsity team members.
"What's the matter?" asked Mack, almost defiantly. "What do you want?"
"Better get into your duds," said Darby. "We may need you."
"Not me," Mack rejoined, incredulously.
"Yes, you!" replied Frank, coming up and tapping him on the shoulder. "Dave's just been carried off the field with a dislocated knee. It's doubtful if he'll be able to play Saturday."
Mack stood for a moment, shocked at the news. The field seemed to spin around in a circle ... then the peculiar numbness returned.