A good-natured altercation over the possession of a bath towel that both Leddy and Parker laid claim to drowned the rest of Tray’s remark and Dud slipped further along. Captain Murtha ran across him a moment later and stopped an instant.
“Say, Baker, you did mighty well there for a while today. Keep it up, old man. But don’t lay out any more of the team, eh? You might leave us short-handed!” Guy laughed, nodded and went on, and presently, showing numerous evidences of having dressed hurriedly, Jimmy arrived a bit breathless and dragged Dud outside. There, one arm through Dud’s, he led the way back to the dormitory.
“Now,” he demanded eagerly, “let’s have the whole story.”
“Well, I stepped on a pebble or something and the ball got away and hit Star on the shoulder.”
“Yes,” chuckled Jimmy, “I saw that. Something ought to be done about those pebbles!” And he winked meaningly.
“But it was a pebble!” declared Dud. “I didn’t mean to hit him!”
“You didn’t!” Jimmy was incredulous, incredulous and disappointed. “Gee, I thought of course you did it so he’d get mad and fight! Are you sure?”
“Yes, I am,” answered Dud shortly. “Don’t be a fool, Jimmy.”
“Oh, all right, then. It was an accident.” Jimmy sighed. “Then what?”