[“‘Who do you think will win, sir?’ asked Phin.”]
“With Dana and Cameron both in the game I think we should. But Fairview has got a pretty heavy lot of men, and they’re fast, too, I understand. But I’m going over there Saturday to see them play, and when I get back I’ll know more about them. Of course, they won’t show any more than they have to, and I dare say they’ll play a lot of subs, but just the same there’ll be plenty to see. Look here, Dorr, why don’t you come along with me? You haven’t got anything special to do, have you, on Saturday? It won’t cost you anything, because I’ve got mileage.”
“I’d like to,” answered Phin wistfully, “but I guess I ought to stay here and study. I’ve got a good deal to make up.”
“Well, I need company, and I tell you what we’ll do. You come along and take your books, and I’ll hear you in German on the way over. And I’ll hear your French that night, if you like. What do you say?”
“It’s very kind of you, sir, and if they don’t need me here that afternoon, I’ll be glad to go.”
“They won’t need you. I’ll tell Folsom to get along without you. The game with Parksboro won’t amount to much. We’re going to play second string men almost altogether, and send the first out in the country for a walk.”
“Then we won’t see the game?” asked Hansel.
“You can see the first half; then I want the lot of you, the ones that don’t play, to mosey over to Brookfield and back, if it’s a decent day. By the way, Phin, you can set your mind at rest about your studies; the doctor tells me you are to be allowed every facility for making up lost recitations. But I forget; you know about that, don’t you?”
“Yes, sir, Hansel said John—I mean Dr. Lambert—was very kind, sir.”