“No. Like yourselves, they are lying low and conserving their energies. The Scott Sisters I have not seen, nor the other two teams we have spoken of. I don’t know that any of them are on the grounds, though I presume they are.”
During the next hour there was little opportunity for conversation. The play held the attention of the Meadow-Brook Girls, Mr. Disbrow remaining near them, now and then calling their attention to improper plays or some particularly fine bit of playing that he wished them to impress upon their minds.
A very large crowd of people was in attendance; a greater attendance, even, was looked for on the morrow. Every player had hosts of friends to cheer for her and to shout encouraging words between the sets. The games were run off quickly, only two sets being long-drawn out when skilful players found themselves opposed to each other. Even these were limited to half an hour’s playing. The playing day ended about three o’clock in the afternoon, some contestants having made a miserable showing, others having shown such form as gave promise of future successes.
Mr. Disbrow went to camp to take dinner with the Meadow-Brook Girls as well as to watch their practice, which was to take place immediately upon their return to camp. He did not compliment them on their work that afternoon, but before leaving them that night he said:
“Remember, no work to-morrow morning. Sleep as late as you can comfortably and do not lie awake thinking of to-morrow. Time enough to think when you are before the net. Just try to imagine that it is a practice game with your humble instructor on the side lines ready to criticise you sharply for any shortcomings he may observe. Try to think, too, that there is nothing worth while at stake, even if you do not win out.”
“Yeth, there ith,” objected Tommy. “There ith a cup at thtake. I call that thomething.”
“I may look in on you after breakfast to see that you are all in working order,” continued Disbrow. “George, as the manager of the team, I would suggest that you see Herrington at nine o’clock in the morning to see that there are no changes in the arrangements. Miss Elting, it will be for you and Miss Brown to look after the physical comfort of the young ladies when they come in from the sets. You understand what to do, being an athlete yourself.”
The guardian nodded understandingly.
“Then, good-bye until to-morrow. Remember!” He shook a warning finger at the girls.
“We shall not forget,” answered Harriet simply.