“In which case——?”
“Why, then it would be up to—I mean, sir, that in such a case it would lay with you to say whether or not he could play.”
“Thank you. You have given me quite a good deal of information on a subject of which I have been, I fear, inexcusably ignorant. I begin to think that I have been mistaken, that athletic ethics are much the same as any other. Strange, very strange!” He arose and Hansel followed his example. At the door he held out his hand. Something almost approaching a smile softened the immobile features. “Good night, Dana. I am glad to have made your acquaintance. We shall meet again, doubtless.”
Outside Hansel took a deep breath of relief.
“Thunder!” he muttered with a shiver, “that’s like visiting in an ice chest! I wonder, though, if he is going to take our side!”
Then he hurried off to keep his appointment with Harry.
The next afternoon, Friday, he called again at Phin’s. The door was opened by a stout, placid-faced woman in a blue-striped dress and white apron.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Whitney,” said Hansel. “Is Phin in?”
“Yes, but he is asleep, I think. He didn’t go to bed until about midnight, and I haven’t waked him yet; he seemed to need the rest.”