CHAPTER XIV—WARY FISH
Following on the heels of exultation, however, came disappointment. On the day before that set for their call at Mr. Cutler’s office, Marjorie received a line from him stating that the owner of the properties was in Chicago and would not return until after Thanksgiving. Immediately he returned, she would be apprised of the fact.
“There’s no use in being disappointed about it,” she said bravely to Jerry. “We have the first chance to buy the properties. I shall not think much about it until nearer the time. The freshies are going to play their first game against the sophs one week from Saturday. I may as well turn my attention to my committee duties. Ahem!”
“You are a person of some importance, aren’t you?” Jerry struck an attitude before Marjorie of mock respect. “Who’s going to win, freshies or sophs?”
“Freshies, I believe. L’enfant terrible is a fine player. She is so clever. For a girl of her height and weight she moves like lightning. One might think she was rough to watch her. She isn’t. She plays a close game, but a clean one. Those two freshmen who go around with Miss Walbert are good players, too. I am glad Miss Forbes was picked for center. She is a fine girl, Jerry, even though she doesn’t like me,” Marjorie praised with a tolerant smile.
“She is not so worse,” Jerry reluctantly conceded. “I don’t mind her turning up her already turned-up nose at me. I am not stuck on myself. I object to her not appreciating you.”
“So long as I have the fond regard of Jeremiah I can stand a few cold breezes.” Marjorie reached across the width of the table and administered a fond pat to Jerry’s plump hand.
“There’s worse’n me, lady,” croaked Jerry in her tramp voice, which made them both laugh.
It having been decided by the Nineteen Travelers not to undertake the giving of an entertainment until after Thanksgiving, Marjorie had a fair amount of time to give to basket ball. Professor Leonard had asked her and her three assistants on committee to drop in at the gymnasium occasionally during practice. “It will give you a line on the teams. I am anxious for fair play and no favors. I want the morale of these teams kept up. I recall a time when it was sadly lacking.”
The instructor was brutally candid in referring to the underhanded methods of the departed Sans. He would never get over his utter loathing for their lack of principle.