“Why do you call me Curt?” asked Kendall.
“Why not? Your name is Bendall Kurtis—”
“It’s Kendall Burtis,” answered the other with a smile.
“I can’t say that. To me you are Bendall Kurtis; Curt for short; short and curt. What’s that I see? A football?”
Kendall acknowledged that it was.
“Oh, do you play?”
“I was trying to when—”
“When the sword fell. Football’s a good game. I’ve sometimes thought I had the making of a good player.”
“Have you never tried?”
“Oh, yes, many times, but the coaches didn’t share my estimate of my ability. Nowadays I’m reduced to golf—and a little tennis.”