"It certainly does!" exclaimed President Hopkins.
"We've held out against you in this affair, Brown, because every member of the team knew it was only a question of our being given enough time to round into shape."
"There is the whole story," put in Coach Steele. "To have yielded to your demands would have meant an outrageous piece of injustice."
"Indeed!" jeered Brown. "How much more time do you want?"
"We don't want any. The nine has been hard at work every day until I can now safely say the players are in top-notch condition."
"Let 'an eccentric old creature' settle this dispute," said Mr. Barry, with appalling distinctness.
Tom Clifton, who, a moment before, towering over his neighbor's shoulder, was prominently in view, now shifted his position so that his face was no longer in line with Mr. Barry's eagle glare. To his horror, Benny Wilkins burst out laughing.
"Ha, ha, ha!" giggled Benny. "And I know who said it, too."
The tall boy's nerves tingled with apprehension. It was a moment of intense relief when Mr. Barry, paying no heed to the interruption, continued:
"Frankly, I was not satisfied with the team's showing, and I dropped many remarks to that effect during several of the games. It didn't occur to me at the time, but I've learned since that some of them acted upon the boys with extraordinary force." His cold, penetrating gaze shifted from one to another. "I understand your position, Brown; and I understand the position of the regulars, too."