“Huh! Well, don’t you worry about me, Tucker. I can handle that big bully. I’ve had to scrap all my life, pretty near, and I know the tricks. Besides, I’ve got right on my side, ain’t—haven’t I? And that counts, doesn’t it?”
“It ought to,” the other agreed, “but I wouldn’t count too much on it.”
“Where does Frick room?” asked Tubb after a moment.
“I don’t know.” Toby frowned a minute. Then: “Look here, Tubb, let’s talk sense,” he expostulated. “Never mind whether faculty finds out or doesn’t. You say you’re willing to risk that. But if you beat Frick up or if he beats you up, Tom Fanning will hear of it, even if the coaches don’t. And Fanning will drop you from the team like a—a hot potato!”
“I don’t see why he should,” Tubb objected. “It’s not his affair, Tucker.”
“Why isn’t it? It’s his affair if you or any other fellow on the team breaks training. If Frick lays you up for a day or two——”
“Huh! Like to see him do it!”
“Never mind, it’s possible. You’d be a fat lot of use to the team, wouldn’t you? Well, that’s where it becomes Fan’s business, Tubb. Just as long as you’re on the team it’s your duty to go by the rules.”
“Is there any rule saying you mustn’t knock a fellow down after he’s kicked you in the slats?”