“I dare say some of it is,” responded Gerald smilingly. “I hope Andy will let me in the run with Broadwood. I suppose he will give us a lot of stiff work before that, though. Are you going to play this afternoon, Tom?”
“Yes. Alf’s gone to see Payson about the length of halves. Payson wants two twenties and Alf thinks that’s too much.”
“I wish Bendix would let me play,” sighed Gerald. “Don’t you think it’s mean of him, Tom? He says I’m not strong enough, but I’ll wager I’m as strong as lots of the fellows on the Second.”
“No, you’re not, kid. You wait until next year. Muscles knows what he’s talking about. Football’s a tough game to play and a fellow needs to be pretty sturdy if he isn’t going to get banged up. I like the game mighty well, but if I had a kid of my own I don’t believe I’d let him look at a football before he was eighteen.”
“Gee, I’d hate to be your kid!” Gerald laughed. “Think of the fun he’d miss! I’m going to play next fall, all right. Dad doesn’t like it, but he’s pretty fussy about me.”
“Why shouldn’t he be?” asked Tom. “You’re the only one he’s got, aren’t you? If you get killed who’s going to be the next Steamship King?”
“I’d rather be a lawyer,” said Gerald thoughtfully.
“Well, you’ll have enough money to be what you like, I guess. It won’t matter whether you get a case or not.”