"And that's just the thing we're trying for," said Tom.
Bob beat a tattoo on the floor with his foot.
"We were a bit rusty, fellows," he confessed. "It's taken us longer to get into condition than I expected. I feel that we are nowhere near our true form yet."
"I never thought things would turn out like this," said Tom, disconsolately. "Nearly every time I pass one of the 'Pie-eaters and doughnut crowd' they say something mean. Good thing they can't get my nerve like they do Charlie Blake's once in a while."
"Well, then, it's settled," said Sam. "We'll just let the opposition howl itself hoarse."
"If they'd only stop their yelp and let us alone it would show a lot more sense," remarked Dick Travers. "How in thunder do they expect us to win while they're kicking up such a row and knocking us on every side? But never mind; they can't bluff us."
"You bet they can't!" cried Tom.
"Boys, I fear I have a big supply of the weaknesses of human nature," said Dave. "I'm actually stirred up about this thing; I'm in a fighting mood. Why are we acting this way?"
"For the good of the school!" laughed Bob.
"And for our own good, too!"