The hush continued all through the song. Surely no audience had ever accorded a more perfect reception. For a full moment there was silence. Then a voice exclaimed:
“Yea, Kentucky! Yea! Yea! Old Kentucky!”
Instantly the throng was on its feet as the rafters rang with the shout:
“Kentucky! Old Kentucky!”
Johnny choked something down his throat. Perhaps it was his heart. By Old Kentucky, he knew they meant Ballard. The name would stick. Ballard was made for life. So too he hoped, was the Blue Moon. He touched a switch. Instantly like a smile from Heaven the light at the center of the ceiling beamed down upon them. Johnny found himself looking into a half hundred smiling faces. The team was there, almost to a man. Some of the girls were there. Those professors and six strangers completed the list.
But here was Artie Stark. He was on his feet. He was speaking: “Folks, this is to be a pep meeting, not a funeral!” Instant applause. “What we need to do is find out what it takes to win next Saturday’s game. I’ll tell you.” Artie’s round freckled and usually smiling face was serious. “I’ll tell you what we need. It’s practice! How can we win? By getting out on the air! Basketball! That’s it. Basketball on the football field. That takes practice, hours and hours of practice. I know what you’re going to say, ‘Where’s the time? All right for you,’ you’ll say, ‘you don’t have to work, Artie.’ Look!” Artie broke short off to allow his eyes to circle the crowd. “Who’s the best ball carrier we’ve got this year? Who’s the artful dodger? There he is!” He pointed straight at Ballard. “Old Kentucky. That’s who it is!” Once again the crowd cheered, this time long and huskily. Ballard turned red, struggled with something in his throat, made a few gurgling sounds, then sat there in silence.
“What does he need?” Artie demanded.
“He needs practice, to become air-minded. That’s what it will take to win! And practice, that’s what he’s going to get. I’m going to serve up chocolate sodas, banana splits, and ham sandwiches in this old Blue Moon of Johnny’s. I don’t have to work but I’m going to, for good old Hillcrest and all she stands for.”
“No, I—” Ballard was on his feet. It matters little what he meant to say. Wild cheers drowned all his efforts at speech.
As for Johnny, his head was in a whirl. Artie Stark was to be his aid at the Blue Moon! Artie, the most popular boy in the whole school! What a boost the old Blue Moon was going to get!