“Why, it’s this way,” said Robbie, whose heart was almost as big as his body—which is saying a great deal. “Why not give Joe a little vacation, now that we’re so near the end of the training season? He’s on edge now, as you can see by the way he struck out six men in succession in the last two innings yesterday. And as for his batting eye—well, you saw for yourself how that ball traveled.”
McRae pondered the matter a moment.
“I don’t see why not,” he remarked slowly. “As you say, he’s right at the top of his form just now, and if he overtrains he might go a little stale. Then, too, he’s got to follow the doctor’s directions and not pitch for a few days anyway. And of course we know the kind of care he takes of himself, whether he’s under our eyes or not. I guess you’re right, Robbie. He can have a good rest up in New York and be all ready to jump in when the bell rings.”
“I wasn’t thinking of New York exactly,” said Robbie.
McRae looked at him in astonishment.
“What did you mean then?” he inquired.
“Well, it’s like this, John,” explained Robbie a little sheepishly. “I was standin’ by him when he sent that night letter to his wife last night. He was trying to reassure her—but you know what women are, John. She’ll be scared to death for fear things are worse than he admits they are. And Joe will know she’s scared, and that will make him restless and unhappy. An’ if he’s feeling that way it won’t do the Giants any good. So I just thought if we sent him to Riverside first—let him stop off there for a day or two an’ see Mabel and let her see for herself there’s nothing the matter with him—why, don’t you see? it will be a good thing all around, especially for the Giants.”
McRae burst out laughing.
“Especially for the Giants!” he repeated. “Robbie, you soft-hearted, romantic old rascal, all you’re thinking of is to give those two young folks a chance to see each other.”
Robbie grinned self-consciously.