“Yes, if you like. I want him to get what’s coming to him, but I’m not particular who gives it to him! Well, I must be getting back. I’ve some work to do. This thing of being on pro has one advantage, Tubb; it gives you a fine chance to improve your class standing!”
Monday came, and Tuesday, and although Tubb assured Toby that he was still hopeful of clearing up the mystery, nothing came of it. Frick went to the First Team on Tuesday. Mass meetings were held on the slightest provocation and the school talked football from morning to night. The last scrimmage between the Second Team and the First was held on Wednesday and Toby went down and looked on. The Second, not yet recovered from a gruelling game with Latimer High School four days before which had ended in a 7 to 7 tie, and deprived of the services of a first-class quarter-back, was no match for the big team and was cruelly humbled. That was the Second’s swan-song, for when the whistle blew for the end she cheered the First and then cheered for herself and then, cavorting and yelling, piled up the hill to the gymnasium while, from the stands, followed a long cheer with three rousing “Seconds!” on the end of it. After Wednesday, save for “skull practice” in the gymnasium in the evenings and a thorough signal drill on Thursday, there was nothing to be done but wait for Saturday and the enemy’s invasion.
Toby had become fairly reconciled to his state by Thursday, and was inclined to make fun of George Tubb’s efforts to fasten the guilt of the assault on the right person. But Tubb refused to give up, although he was clearly discouraged. Or he was until Friday. Then, just after supper, he pounced in on Toby in Number 12 and asked a breathless question.
“Didn’t you tell me once that the guy who punched you the day you fellows played Greenburg High had red hair?” he asked.
“Did I? I may have. Anyway, he did.”
“How big was he?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Why?”
“Never mind why! Answer the question! Was he bigger than you?”
“N-no, about the same height, I guess, and maybe about my build. You’re not trying to make it out that——”
“Never mind what I’m trying to do! That’s all! Much obliged to you!” And Tubb rushed out again.