“But you’ve done a lot already, Joe.”
“I’ll do more—if I can. Just wait until the close of the season, when we have the pennant.”
What Joe meant was that he would have the money for an operation on the pitcher’s arm if the cash was not needed to put Mr. Matson’s eyes in shape through the attention of a surgeon.
And this matter was still undecided, much to the worriment of Joe, his mother and sister, to say nothing of his father. But it is necessary, in such matters, to proceed slowly, and not to take any chances.
Joe felt the strain. His regular salary was much needed at home, and he was saving all he could to provide for his father’s possible operation. That cost would not be light.
Then there was Pop Dutton to think of. Joe wanted very much to see the old player fully on his feet again. He did not know what to do, though, should all the money he might get from the pennant series be required for Mr. Matson.
“Well, I’ll do the best I can,” thought Joe. “Maybe if Gregory and the others see how well Pop is doing they’ll take up a collection and pay for the operation. It oughtn’t to cost such an awful lot.”
Joe shook his head in a puzzled way. Really it was a little too much for him to carry on his young shoulders, but he had the fire of youth in his veins, and youth will dare much—which is as it should be, perhaps.
Then, too, Joe had to be on edge all the time in order to pitch winning ball. No pitcher is, or can be, at top notch all the while. He can hardly serve in two big games in quick succession, and yet Joe did this several times, making an enviable record for himself.
The rivalry between him and Collin grew, though Joe did nothing to inflame the other’s dislike. But Collin was very bitter, and Pop gave Joe some warning hints.