Joe looked around, and a delighted look came over his face as he saw his father and mother, Clara, and one other.
"Mabel!" exclaimed Joe, and then he hurried over.
"Say, this is great!" he cried, with sparkling eyes. "I didn't know you folks were coming," and he kissed his mother and sister, and wished—but there! I said I wouldn't tell secrets.
"Your father found he had some business in New York," explained Mrs. Matson, "so we thought we would combine pleasure with it, and see you play."
"And they looked me up, and brought me along," added Mabel. "I just happened to be in town. Now we want to see you win, Joe!"
"I don't even know that I'll play," he said, wistfully.
Joe felt that he could bide his time, and yet he did long to be the one to open the game, as it was an important one, and a record-breaking crowd was on hand to see it.
But it was evident that Manager Watson's choice of a pitcher must be changed. It needed but two innings to demonstrate that, for the Giants got four hits and three runs off Slim Cooney, who, most decidedly, was not in form.
The substitution of a batter was made, and the manager nodded at Joe.
"You'll pitch!" he said, grimly. "And I want you to win!"