"I won't; you may depend on that."
There was a conference between Boswell and the manager.
"Who shall I put in the box?" asked the latter, for he often depended in a great measure on the old trainer.
"Let Barter open the ball, and see how he does. It's my notion that he won't stand the pace, for he's a little off his feed. But I want to take a little more care of Matson, and this will give him a couple of innings to catch up."
"Matson!" cried the manager. "Has he——"
"Just a little soreness," said Boswell quickly, for that was all he imagined it to be. He had not asked Joe how it happened, for which the young pitcher was glad. "It'll be all right with a little more rubbing." He knew Joe's hope, and wanted to do all he could to further it.
"All right. Announce Barter and Russell as the battery. And you look after Matson; will you?"
"I sure will. I think Joe can pitch his head off if he gets the chance."
"I hope he doesn't lose his head," commented the manager grimly. "It's going to be a hard game."
Which was the opinion of more than one that day.