Darrell stood looking at Joe, whose face was illuminated brightly by the full focus of the lamp. The manager seemed struck by something.
“I say!” he exclaimed, “you look as if you were built to play ball. Were you at it long?”
“Oh, a couple of years.”
“Pitch all that time?”
“Oh, no, only just the last few months of the season. Our regular pitcher left and I filled in.”
“I see. Hum, well, as I said we haven’t any vacancy in the box, but by Jove! come to think of it I might give you a chance!”
Joe’s heart leaped wildly and he could hardly answer.
“Can you, really?” he asked.
“Yes, but not as a regular, of course—at least that is not right off the bat. But if you’d like to try for place at centre field I believe I can manage it.”
Joe’s heart was a little despondent. Centre field was not a very brilliant place in which to shine with the Stars, but it was a start and he realized that.