“How do you block a kick?” asked Cal thoughtfully. Ned grinned.
“I’ve never heard any receipt for it,” he answered. “I guess it’s by playing your level best and getting through on defense. Thinking of trying it?”
“Yes, if I get a chance,” said Cal seriously. “I cal’late I could get by that fellow Dixon, Ned. Anyway, I’d try mighty hard!”
[CHAPTER XXI]
A MYSTERY IS EXPLAINED
Thursday was the last day of real practice, although on Friday there was a short session of signal work, the fellows jogging through the plays and Brooks explaining and propounding. After supper that night West House made its annual pilgrimage to East House and was entertained with lemonade and cake. It was a very merry and enjoyable evening. Cal was privileged to sit for a while in Frank Brooks’s room and hear football discussed by masters of the game; Brooks, M’Crae, the Westlake brothers, Ned and Joe Boyle. Brooks proved that he hadn’t forgotten Cal’s presence on the substitute list.
“How are you, Boland?” he asked. “Feeling ready for trouble tomorrow?”
Cal assured him that he was fine and wanted terribly to insinuate some little hint to the effect that a place in the team on the morrow wouldn’t be unacceptable.
When half-past nine came West House took its departure, but not before it had cheered East House and East House had returned the compliment and both Houses had cheered loudly for the Team. It had been a busy and exciting day and sleep didn’t come readily to either Ned or Cal that night. Even when Ned did finally drop off to slumber he was the victim of disturbing visions, and so, when, hours later, as it seemed, he awoke with the vague impression that someone was stirring in the room, he was unable at first to determine whether he was really awake or still asleep and dreaming.