“Sixteen for Phillips and six for Truesdale,” he announced. “Phillips is elected.”
A shout went up and the fellows crowded about Sam to shake his hand or thump him on the back. Truesdale demanded attention.
“I move that the election be made unanimous,” he said.
Gus Turnbull promptly seconded the motion. Then Harry Smythe demanded a cheer for Sam, which was given lustily, and one for Dolph, to which the response was no less hearty, and then one “for Maple Ridge, fellows, and make it good!”
And just as the last long-drawn-out “School!” had died away there was a polite knock at the folding doors and Dick Furst threw them open. On the threshold stood Dr. Benedict and a tall man in loose-fitting black clothes, who viewed the scene in frank bewilderment. Silence fell on the room as the fellows saw the visitors. Dr. Benedict smiled and held up his hand.
“I must apologize for intruding on your ceremonies, young gentlemen, but I have just received some very good news and, as it interests you quite as much as it does me, I have brought the bearer of it to you and will ask him to deliver his own message.”
The Doctor laid his hand on the arm of the stranger.
“Boys, this is Mr. Finkler. Mr. Finkler, these young gentlemen are the members of our baseball team. And Mr. Shay, their coach.”
The boys greeted the introduction with a subdued “A-ay!” of applause in which one might have detected both surprise and curiosity. Farmer Finkler bobbed his head, looking very embarrassed, and cleared his throat. Then he thrust a pair of big gnarled hands into the pockets of his voluminous trousers and seemed to find encouragement there.