“We can’t give you a game,” he announced.
“It’s too bad,” said Darrell, “for we ought to decide which is the best team.”
“Oh, ours is, of course. Didn’t we wallop you once?”
“Well, you can’t do it again,” was the quick retort.
It was several days after this when Joe was coming home from afternoon practice in preparation for a game Saturday with the Red Stockings. As he took a short cut over the fields to get home more quickly, he was aware of a figure coming toward him. When too late to turn back he saw it was Sam Morton. Sam saw Joe and came to a halt.
“Well,” asked Sam with a sneer, “how is the high-and-mighty pitcher? I suppose you’ve been doing nothing else but handing out no-hit and no-run games?”
“Not quite as good as that,” admitted Joe with what he meant for a friendly smile.
“Who you laughing at?” demanded Sam fiercely.
“I wasn’t laughing,” replied Joe.