“Guess I’ll have to tell the truth,” answered Cap.
“Couldn’t you say you ran into the fence catching a foul ball?” inquired Bill.
“Nothing doing,” was his brother’s retort. “The doctor would guess right in a minute. Besides, I wouldn’t fake it that way.”
“Of course not. I was only joking. Well, he’ll be here in a second. He’s looking at us as if undecided whether we were Greek roots or some Sanskrit characters. Maybe he’ll pass us up,” went on Bill.
“No such luck!” groaned Pete. “Pull your cap down farther over your eyes, and maybe he won’t see the bruise.”
But all the efforts of the lads were seemingly to go for naught. The venerable president, squinting at them through his thick spectacles, smiled in a friendly fashion, as he came nearer. The students halted and touched their caps.
“Ah, boys, just coming from a game?” inquired Dr. Burton.
“Yes, sir,” answered Whistle-Breeches, who, being slightly taller than Cap, had stepped in front of him.
“Ah, and who won, may I ask?”
“We—er—that is we didn’t finish,” answered Bill, hoping to draw attention away from Cap.