“Seems to me it’s a funny thing to back down now,” replied Jonesie, more in sorrow than in anger, “after I’ve made the team up and we’re to begin practice this afternoon. Still, of course, if you are really afraid to play us——”
“Who’s on your team?” asked Billy.
Jonesie enumerated the members of the All-Stars and Billy grinned.
“Who’s going to pitch?” he asked.
“Tubby Bumstead.”
Billy’s grin broadened and he clapped Jonesie on the shoulder. “All right,” he said gaily, “we’ll play you four innings, Jonesie, if you last that long. It’ll be funny, anyhow, eh?”
“Funny!” said Jonesie indignantly, even a little bitterly. “You think it’s funny when I go to all this trouble to help you fellows out! I’ve a good mind not to do it! I’ve a good mind to just let you fellows go on the way you’re going and get licked by every little whippersnapper team that comes along, Billy! Funny! Huh! You won’t think it’s so funny when we lick you!”
“All right, Jonesie,” Billy laughed. “We’ll play you. Who do you want for an umpire?”
Jonesie shrugged his shoulders. “Any fellow you like. How about Gus Peasley?”
“Has he ever umpired a game?” asked Billy doubtfully.