George walked off into the woods and sat down on a log, holding his head in his hands, now and then uttering a deep sigh. It was he who had proposed this surprise, he who had urged upon the boys the purchase of the tennis outfit, so he received no sympathy from them. But to their credit be it said, the boys of the Tramp Club felt as much concerned over the failure of their well-laid plans as did Captain George Baker himself.
George stuck to his determination not to eat anything. He remained in the woods until long after the boys had finished their luncheon and had come to look for him.
“Are you going back for practice?” asked Billy.
“Of course. What do you think I am?” retorted George savagely. But the afternoon was destined to bring with it a surprise that set their pulses throbbing, that filled them with new hope and courage.
CHAPTER IX
A CLOUD WITH A SILVER LINING
As had been the case that morning, Harriet, Jane, Hazel and Tommy were found at work, the former two at the net, the latter two some little distance away, tossing balls back and forth with their racquets. The Meadow-Brook Girls had made up their minds to learn the game, and, still further, to learn to play an expert game. Once having made up their minds to a certain course of action they would forge ahead, undaunted by any obstacles that might be placed in their way. Bright eyes and glowing faces encouraged even the morose Captain Baker. He went so far as to smile his approval.
“We will get down to business again,” he said. “Harriet and Jane will please take their places, Harriet to serve, Jane to be the striker-out. Play!”
Jane began by losing her racquet, which fell near the serving line in Harriet’s court. That was the beginning of the match, drawing suppressed groans from the boys and laughter from the girls.
Margery watched the practice indifferently. She declined even to practice. Tommy declared that Buster was too fat to play tennis anyway, and that it was fortunate for her companions that she knew it. The game was resumed and played out, Jane winning. There had not been a moment of encouragement in it to the observers on the boys’ side. Even Miss Elting had frequently shaken her head, evidencing her hopelessness of the girls ever accomplishing anything at the game.
Hazel and Tommy played next. The little lisping girl took a keener interest in her tennis practice than they had ever known her to do in anything else.