The first half of the eighth found Hillcrest ahead by two runs.
“Johnny, we’re going to win!” Meggy was jumping up and down.
“No,” said Johnny soberly, “we’re going to lose.”
“Johnny, why do you say that? We’re two runs ahead!”
“Wait and see.” Johnny’s face was solemn.
“Now why did I say that?” he thought to himself a moment later. “Just because that little Chinaman said it. And how could he know?” He was quite disgusted with himself. And yet—
“We’ll show them!” Meggy cried. Seizing a megaphone, once again she sprang to the grass before the grandstand.
Johnny cheered loudest of all and hoped with all his heart that his dire prophecy might not come true.
“We’ll win!” Meggy screamed. “Of course we will!”
Hillcrest came up to bat. The dark eyes of the opposing pitcher gleamed as he sent the ball streaking across the plate.