“It’s all right, Tom!” was the hearty answer. “I have good news for you, and I thought I’d come and tell you myself, instead of wiring. The lawsuit is ended.”
“And you win?”
“I do. The other fellows simply backed down, and decided not to contest the case further. They hadn’t a leg to stand on, and they knew it. I won everything, got back all my money, with interest, and——”
“Then I can stay on at Randall?” interrupted Tom, eagerly.
“You sure can. And look here, Tom. I hear your team lost the first event.”
“Yes, dad. They out-threw us.”
“Have you competed yet?”
“No. I’m in the mile run. It’s next to the last event.”
“Well, look here, Tom, my boy,” and Mr. Parsons leaned forward and whispered. “If you don’t win that I’ll never speak to you again, and I don’t think you’re too big even yet, for me to take over my knee, as I did once in a while, years ago. So you want to win that race!” and he laughed and clapped his son on the back.
“Dad, I’m going to win!” was Tom’s answer, given with shining eyes. “This good news will give me second wind.”