“My, what a lot of girls!” remarked Tom to Sid and Phil, as the three chums looked over toward the seats, which were a riot of color.
“Yes, all the Fairview students are here to-day,” spoke Phil. “Ruth said she and Miss Tyler were coming.”
“I wonder if——” began Sid, and then he stopped, blushing like a girl.
“Yes, Miss Harrison is coming with them,” replied Phil, with a laugh. “We’ll look ’em up after the game—if we win.”
“Why not, if we lose?” asked Sid quickly.
“I haven’t the nerve, if we let Boxer Hall take the first game of the season from us,” was the reply.
Fast and snappy practice began, and it was somewhat of a revelation to the Randall players to note the quick work on the part of their rivals. In getting around the bases, batting out flies, getting their fingers on high balls and low grounders, Boxer Hall seemed to have improved very much over last year.
“We’ve got our work cut out for us,” remarked Phil in a low voice to his two chums. “Say, Langridge has some speed, too. Look at that!”
The new pitcher of Boxer Hall was throwing to Stoddard, the catcher, and the balls landed in the pocket of the big mitt with a vicious thud.