“I don’t see why,” Kendall objected, getting interested now. “We use three numbers, the first a fake, the second indicating the runner, and the third the hole. That’s not hard.”
“Then we have special plays numbered, too.”
“Yes, a special play is called by tacking its number on to 500 and when Simms calls that he calls it right after the fake. You can’t get mixed up there, can you?”
“N-no,” replied Cotton doubtfully. “I suppose not. Still—now suppose left half was to take the ball through guard-tackle hole on the right. How would you call that?”
“We haven’t any such play. If we had, though, Simms would give us, say, 22, 76, 36.”
Cotton studied his diagram. “That sounds harder than need be. Your 22 is your fake, your 76 is your runner, the second numeral of the number indicating left half-back, and the 36 is the hole, the 6 meaning between right guard and tackle. That’s it, isn’t it?”
“Of course.”
“Have I got the positions numbered right?”
“Not quite. You’ve got quarter numbered 7; should be 5.”
“That so? Well, you draw a diagram for me, will you? I’m a lobster at it. Got another piece of paper?”