"I had hoped by the enthusiasm displayed in putting the athletic affairs of the school on a sound basis that the baseball team would have a corresponding strength. I'm disappointed."
Roger Steele was not flustered by the manner or tone of his questioner.
"You must remember this, Mr. Barry," he answered, quietly: "the nine has met two of the strongest amateur clubs in the vicinity. I'm not offering excuses—only explaining the facts."
Mr. Barry's silver knife rattled vigorously on the table.
"What kind of teams did you expect to play?" he demanded.
Coach Steele ignored the thrust.
"Tony Tippen is a pitcher of exceptional ability," he said, "and has good support. Without Tippen in the box I believe we could even now defeat the Stars. The Goose Hill lads are big, husky chaps whose players are much older and far more seasoned than ours."
"Why didn't you select bigger boys—Earl Roycroft, for instance? As guard on the football eleven he played exceptionally well."
The coach flushed slightly.
"I have played on a champion university team," he said, "and when engaged by the athletic association of the Kingswood High I was given a free hand to choose whichever candidates seemed to be the most promising. I believe in the end my selections will prove to be wise ones."