There were bitter days for Randall following the Fairview game, and for a time it seemed that the defeat would work havoc with the team. But Mr. Lighton was a wise coach, and he only laughed at the gloomy predictions.
“Oh, we’ll come into our own, soon,” he declared. “Get right into practice, and keep it up.”
Phil was able to be in his old place a couple of days later, and Sid was soon off the sick list, so that the team was once more in shape. Simpson was voted a “find,” and showed up well at guard. Bascome also improved under the influence of the presence of the big Californian.
“Well, I think we’re gradually getting into shape again, captain,” remarked the coach to Kindlings one day, after some hard practice, during which the scrub had been “pushed all over the field, and had its nose rubbed in the dirt,” as Holly Cross picturesquely expressed it.
“Yes,” agreed Dan Woodhouse. “We miss Bricktop and Ed Kerr, but what can’t be cured must be put up in pickles, as the old woman said when she kissed the broom.”
“Cow, you mean,” corrected the coach.
“I make my own proverbs,” replied Kindlings, with a laugh. “They keep better. But, seriously, I think we will shape up pretty well for the Boxer game. We’ve got a couple of contests in between, one with the Waram Prep, and the other with Duncan College. We will take both of those, and that will make the boys feel better.”
“Yes, a little victory, now and then——”
“Makes good dressing on your salad,” finished Dan, with a laugh.
Though football took up much of the time of our heroes, with Phil and Sid again on the active list, they had not forgotten their quest after their beloved chair, nor had they given up their plan of discovering who took the clock.