“Someone,” said Jimmy morosely, “has told Star he could play baseball. Huh! That’s all right, too, but what’s the use of making me let go the second and then dumping me in just when the fun begins? How do I know I’ll be dumped? Well, I don’t, I suppose. But, listen, if that chap keeps on butting in where’ll I be? Ordway and Boynton and Parker are sure of the outfield places unless they break a leg or a neck or something. Well, sure, that’s O. K.; they’re better than I am. I know that. The only chance I get is when one of ’em is out of the game. One of ’em’s likely to be out now and then and so I get a whack. All right, say we. But here comes this—this Indian, Meyer, butting in and snooping around for the crumbs, too. That makes two of us; three, if you count Ben Myatt; and Pete’s likely to put Ben in center or right any chance he gets because Ben can bat like a whale! If Star Meyer’d mind his own business, which is playing hockey and running creation, I’d have a fair chance to get into one of the Mount Morris games, wouldn’t I? Sure, I would! Parker isn’t very spry on that game leg of his, and I’ve noticed that Boynton is looking sort of like a friend of mine looked before he went into a decline. And Hobo might fall out of his canoe any day and get drowned—if he’d only use it more. I must suggest it to him. He doesn’t get enough exercise. Why the dickens can’t Star keep out of it? That’s what I want to know. Something told me away last winter that I’d have trouble with that galoot before the year was over!”
“I thought I was the one,” said Dud slyly.
Jimmy grunted. “So did I. Well, anyway, one good thing is that faculty hasn’t forbidden me to take a fall out of him!”
“But you can’t very well thrash a fellow for just playing ball, Jimmy!”
“I can beat him up for interfering with my affairs,” responded the other with dignity. “Bet you anything you like he will work around Guy Murtha and Guy’ll take him along to Corliss day after tomorrow.”
“I suppose Parker will be back by then,” suggested Dud.
“Parker? Oh, I dare say. But, listen, Dud, between you and me now, I don’t believe Parker stands awfully high with Pete. I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t get back again; regularly, I mean. And if he doesn’t, why, maybe little Jimmy T. Logan will have a chance, eh? That is, if Meyer doesn’t persuade Guy that he’s a ball-player beforehand.”
“You’re hitting better than Star, aren’t you?”
“N—no, I don’t think so. Wish I were! Still, I get my base a heap oftener. I suppose shooting at hockey helps Star hit the ball. Say, do you know, Dud darling, I’m going to be sort of peeved and disappointed if I don’t get into one of those Mount Morris games? I wasn’t awfully keen at first, as you know, but now that I’ve started I’d like to make good. Besides,” he added gloomily, “the family’ll be here for that second game and I’d feel like an awful chump if I had to swing my legs on the bench all the afternoon!”