“Sure you’re out,” said the pitcher with a grin. “You didn’t go anywhere near the plate. Beat it, kid!”
Gordon grabbed Jack’s arm and hustled him toward the bench, pursued by the laughter of the Lesterville players and the gibes of the spectators, crowding off the stand. At second Lanny got to his feet and tramped morosely in to the bench.
“I was all over the plate!” Jack was declaring fiercely. “He’s a robber!”
“Of course you were,” agreed Gordon soothingly. “He knows it, but he’s scared of the bunch. Never mind, it’s all in the day’s work, Jack.”
“I tell you I was safe!” sputtered Jack. “What do you want to quit for? Why don’t you make them play it out?”
“No good, Jack. Shut up and change your things. We’ve got to hustle for the train.”
Just then the Lesterville captain walked up to Gordon. “Say,” he said, “we’ll play you fellows again some time if you like. You put up a good game, all right, Merrick.”
“Thanks, I dare say we can get together again,” replied Gordon not overly enthusiastic. “I’ll let you know.”
“Next time we’ll have a decent umpire,” cried Jack, pausing on his way to the dressing shed. “That man’s a thief!”
“Aw, don’t be a baby,” growled the opposing captain. “You were out all right enough. I saw the play, didn’t I?”