They did say so, emphatically, and Nan was so pleased that she blushed very prettily and declared that she wouldn’t think of such a thing!
It was the second week in April when the trophy actually arrived. It was all they had hoped for and more. I fancy the maker had improved somewhat on Small’s design, but no one hinted at such a thing and Small was decidedly proud. The trophy was urn-shaped, with two square-shouldered handles, and held on one side in relief a wreath of laurel leaves enclosing crossed bats and a ball. The other side had been left bare for the inscription. There was a little polished ebony base for it to stand on and a purple canton flannel bag to keep it in. Everyone was greatly pleased with it and it was passed from hand to hand and admired and set up on the grain-chest and re-admired until Nan grew fearful that they would wear it out!
“It’s just superb!” she declared ecstatically. “That’s what it is, it’s just superb!”
“Dandy!” agreed Lanny. “And, say, look inside, fellows; it’s gold inside!”
“Just gold-washed, I suppose,” said Bert. “Pretty, though, isn’t it?”
“I tell you what it is,” said Kid suddenly, “we’ve got to win that ourselves, fellows. We mustn’t let the day fellows get it, must we?”
“I should say not!” exclaimed Bert in horror.
“Why, the very idea!” ejaculated Nan.
“Well, what’s to keep them from getting it?” asked Small uneasily. “They beat us last year, didn’t they?”