Payson looked puzzled.
“What are you after, Vinton?” he asked. “Compliments?”
“No, sir, I was just wondering whether if I wasn’t on the team Williams wouldn’t do just as well.”
“What’s the matter with you?” asked the coach anxiously.
“Nothing, sir. I’m feeling fine. I just wondered.”
“Well, then I’ll tell you. Williams is about as good an end as you are to-day, but you’ll have him beat in another year if you keep on improving as you have lately. He’s a little surer on tackling than you are, and he stops his man better. But you handle forward passes in better shape and seem to be quicker at sizing-up plays. There’s a fair criticism, Vinton. How do you like it?”
“I guess you’ve let me off pretty easy, sir,” Dan replied with a smile. “But I’m much obliged. If I couldn’t play, then, Williams would do just as well, wouldn’t he?”
“Look here, Vinton,” said Payson with a frown, “you go and see Ryan and do as he tells you; understand?”
“Oh, I’m all right, sir; honest!” Dan assured him. “I—I just sort of wondered—” Payson smiled.