[CHAPTER VIII]
DAN JOINS THE FOOTBALL SQUAD
The next afternoon at four o’clock Dan joined the throng of candidates in the big locker room in the basement of the gymnasium. He had been examined that forenoon by Mr. Bendix, had been put through strength tests, had been measured and at last presented with a chart which showed his size, strength and development in comparison with a normal youth of his age. He passed well and received official permission to play football. “Your chest, abdomen and upper-arm muscles are very well developed,” Mr. Bendix had told him, “but the lower part of your body seems to have been neglected. But we’ll fix that for you.”
Then Dan had given his name to Andy Ryan and been welcomed like a long-lost son. “Sure, you’re a well-made lad,” declared Andy, “and we’ll find a place for you, never fear. End, is it? Well, why not? Faith, it’s ends we need, I’m thinking. This new-fangled football is just the game for the lightweights like you. Just you take hold right, Mr. Vinton, and we’ll make a real football player out of you.”
This was all very encouraging, but Dan had a suspicion that Andy talked just that way to every new candidate. At a little after four he trotted down to the field with the others, looking very trim and fit in his new khaki trousers and faded, battle-scarred brown sweater. If he had expected any especial consideration from the coach he was disappointed. When he reported Mr. Payson looked at him silently for an instant and then asked:
“What’s the name?”
“Vinton, sir.”
The coach pulled a little memorandum book from his pocket and entered it.
“Let me see, you are trying for quarter?”
“No, sir, end.”