“I’m going to give you a try at fullback, Crail,” said the coach. “You’ve never played behind the line, I suppose.”
“No, sir.”
“Well, I think you could. Anyway, you have a try at it. If you get the hang of playing full you’re likely to be useful the rest of the season. Have you any idea at all of a fullback’s duties?”
Monty shook his head doubtfully.
“I’m afraid not, sir. I know he carries the ball and kicks——”
“Never mind the kicking. Blake or Winslow will do that. You’d better put your blanket on and follow the play this afternoon. Watch Caner, and try to get an idea of what’s wanted. You showed some pretty good stuff Saturday, Crail, and it seems to me that if you buckled down, and really tried you could make a fairly good running back. Manson’s knee is going to trouble him for a couple of weeks, I guess, and you may have a chance to play against Hollywood. I’m not promising it, but there’s a fair chance, Crail. Now, get your blanket and keep your eyes open. Watch Caner’s position in the different plays, and remember what you learn. What are you doing tonight?”
“Nothing, sir.”
“I wish you’d drop around and see me at about eight. You know where I live? All right.”
So Monty, draped in a gray blanket, ambled around the field in the rear of the first squad during signal practice, and later, when the second came trotting over to try conclusions, hung around the flanks of the first team as it went up and down the field. Caner was not the fullback that Manson was, but he had experience, and was a good model for a tyro to copy. Now and then Mr. Bonner came up to Monty, and drew his attention to some feature of the play, but for the most he was left to master things as best he could. When practice was over—the second gave a good account of itself that day, and only allowed the first one touchdown—Monty followed to the field house in dejection. If, he told himself, he had learned anything as to the duties of a fullback he didn’t know what it was!
Consequently, he made his way in to the village that evening feeling somewhat dubious. If Mr. Bonner should ask him what he knew now about playing fullback that he hadn’t known before practice he would have to make the depressing confession that he knew nothing. Monty almost wished that the coach had not selected him for this new rôle.