“Yes, they are thick as flies on a summer’s day. They are literally swarming about the place. But there will be a thinning out soon. I was not misinformed regarding the Scott Sisters. They are fine championship material.”
“Aren’t we?” demanded Harriet quickly.
“You will be in time.”
“Yeth, in about two hourth from now,” answered Tommy. “But I do withh I wath not tho weak in my kneeth. Why, do you think, am I tho weak in my kneeth, Mr. Dithbrow?”
“You imagine that. Forget all about it. Think of the beautiful cup and the weakness will leave your knees,” he advised.
“Yeth, I have notithed that. I——”
“Time to go out,” called George cheerily, poking his head into the tent. “All fit and fine, I see. There’s going to be some lively work pretty soon. Jack Herrington says this is going to be a rattling tournament. You know where your courts are. Now go in and win. Good luck to the Meadow-Brook Girls.”
“We are going to,” answered Harriet Burrell, but her voice, though having lost none of its determination, seemed rather weak to Captain Baker.
Already the teams were taking their places in their respective courts and an air of tense expectancy was beginning to be noticeable over the great throng of spectators. It was all confusion to the girls. They did not appear to see any one individually, and in their ears was that confused murmur that they had heard while in their tent.
George led Jane and Hazel to their respective courts, Miss Elting and Disbrow accompanying them at a short distance behind. The trim figures of the Meadow-Brook Girls clad in their dark blue serge uniforms attracted no little attention as the two stepped into the courts where they were to play. Pressing close against the ropes, anxiously twirling their hats in their hands, were the boys of the Tramp Club, so nervous that they could scarcely control themselves. Harriet and Tommy also came out to watch this first match of their companions.