"Butterfingers!"
And, as every boy in the world knows, it is a great disgrace to be called "Butterfingers."
When the first inning was over the score stood six to five, and Fatty's team was ahead.
In the next inning the ball never once came towards Marmaduke, way out there in the field. All he could do was to watch the other boys catch the "pop-flies," stop the grounders, or run back and forth between first base and home. It was hard, too, when Marmaduke wanted so much to be in the thick of it.
Before long the score stood seventeen to fifteen, still in favor of Fatty's team. At last they were put out, and it was Marmaduke's turn to bat. If he could only knock a home run it would bring Skinny in and tie the score.
"Strike one!" called Sammy, who was catching.
Marmaduke swung at the next one too wildly.
"Strike two!"
And then, sad to tell,--
"Strike three!"