What the captains said was that they expected a close game and didn't care to predict the winner. At least, that's what they really said. In Mr. Potter's account they talked whole paragraphs and said a lot more.

Gordon read his remarks with astonishment and began to wonder whether he had not possibly said all those things after all!

[Ill.u.s.tration: "d.i.c.k took Louise to the game on Sat.u.r.day"]

d.i.c.k took Louise to the game on Sat.u.r.day and did not have to go by way of the Common. Fortunately, several of Louise's girl friends were there and d.i.c.k's frequent absences from her side were not so noticeable. Hemlock Camp presented a husky, sun-browned dozen of young athletes who, led by a clever captain, played the sort of baseball one reads of. The Camp's pitcher was something of a marvel and soon had d.i.c.k's charges eating out of his hand, to use Harold's expression. The contest developed into a pitcher's battle in which Tom had slightly the worst of it and which Hemlock Camp ultimately won by the score of 8 to 6. If the game was not quite so interesting as some previous contests, it was at least nearly free of errors and full of fast, clean playing. d.i.c.k regretted on the way home that Louise had seen a defeat instead of a victory, but Louise declared that she had enjoyed it all very much.

"You must come a week from to-day," said d.i.c.k. "Lesterville is coming to play us a return game and that will be close and exciting, I think.

Would you care to?"

"Yes, indeed, only we'll be at the Point then. Still, I could come over on the trolley, couldn't I? I'll get Morris to come with me. I wouldn't think of having you come way over there for me, d.i.c.k."

d.i.c.k expressed his entire willingness to go to the Point and escort her to town, but Louise refused to allow it. "If you'll come and see us during the game it will do just as well," she said. d.i.c.k didn't think so, but he said nothing.

The ma.s.s meeting to take action on securing a new athletic field came off that evening in the High School a.s.sembly hall and, after much discussion, the meeting endorsed the committee's plan to lease Tilden's meadow for a term of two years. The committee reported that it had a balance on hand of twenty-eight dollars and forty-six cents and asked for more money. It was voted to appoint canva.s.sers to visit the students and the graduates, and, if not enough money was secured from them, to ask the public to a.s.sist. d.i.c.k found himself one of the committee on subscriptions. Lanny was another. They sympathized with each other on their way home and were gibed at by Gordon and Fudge. Fudge offered d.i.c.k five cents then and there, and, his offer being unexpectedly accepted, had to borrow the nickel from Gordon.

The next Monday the _Reporter_ announced that a silver cup was to be donated by the merchants as a prize for the team winning the baseball game and that it would be on exhibition all next week in the window of Wetherell's jewelry store. Tuesday afternoon Mr. Potter called on d.i.c.k with a proof of the poster which the _Reporter_ was getting out. It was a gay piece of work in red and green ink and well calculated to attract the eye. In the center was a picture of a batsman with a flashing eye and a poised bat. That was printed in red. The lettering was in green and announced: "Championship Baseball! Clearfield vs. Rutter's Point, High School Field, Sat.u.r.day, September third, two-thirty o'clock. Music by Nagel's Band. Admission 50 Cents, Reserved Seats 75 Cents. Tickets at Howland's Drug Store, and at the Field before the game."

"We're going to use a heavy cardboard stock," explained Mr. Potter, "and we'll strike off a hundred of 'em. We're going to charge you just what the stock and the labor cost us and no more."

"What about the score-cards?" asked d.i.c.k.

"Won't cost you a cent. I've got about a dozen advertis.e.m.e.nts and those will pay for the cards. Another thing we're going to do is to run an ad of the game on Thursday, Friday and Sat.u.r.day of next week."

"That's very kind," murmured d.i.c.k. "You really think folks will pay seventy-five cents for seats? Wouldn't it be better to make the prices fifty cents and a quarter?"

"I don't think so, Lovering. We want 'em to understand that what they're going to see is a real game of ball. They'll pay the price all right.

That reminds me of another thing. How would it do for you fellows to get hold of a crackerjack pitcher for this game? You could get one for thirty dollars or so. There's Lafferty, of Providence, for instance. I dare say he'd twirl for you for twenty-five and his expenses. He's a corker, too! I've seen him work."

"I guess not," replied d.i.c.k. "I think we'll stick to home talent. It seems a bit fairer."

"Well, just as you say. This fellow Mason, though, is pretty good, and everyone would like to see the home team win that game. Better think it over. If you change your mind you let me know and I'll attend to the matter for you. I suppose you chaps are keeping up practice pretty well?"

"Yes, we practice every day except when there's a game."

"That's the ticket! You play Lesterville next Sat.u.r.day, don't you? Well, I'll give a good write-up of the game on Monday. Got to keep the excitement going."

When the newspaper man had gone d.i.c.k went out to the porch and sank into his favorite chair beside the little table. He was tired and the day was a scorching hot one. There had been a solid three hours that morning with Harold Townsend and, although Harold had done his share without a whimper, it had been pretty hard for teacher as well as pupil. d.i.c.k closed his eyes and frowned in the green shadow of the vines. Was Harold going to make it? There were times when d.i.c.k was sure that he would, but also there were moments, usually when, as to-day, he was f.a.gged out, when he had his doubts. If Harold could remember what he had learned when the time came he would undoubtedly get through, but there was always the danger that he wouldn't. d.i.c.k sighed. At least, though, he reflected, his frown fading, he was doing his honest best for the boy.

And-and here the frown quite disappeared-he had made a nice lot of money that was greatly needed. He would, he told himself, have enough by the middle of the month, when Harold went off to Rifle Point to put the summer's work to the test, to pay for a new heater for the house. That was the most necessary improvement of the many that were needed. For the last two or three years the old furnace, never satisfactory, had quite failed to keep them comfortable in cold weather. d.i.c.k was wondering how much the hardware man would allow him for it when the gate clicked and Gordon and Morris Brent came up the path.

Morris still used his crutches, but, as he explained, the doctor had told him yesterday that he might lay them aside in another week. "And I'll be mighty glad to," he added. "They're rotten things to have to get about with." Then his eye fell on d.i.c.k's crutches, leaning within reach, and he colored. "I guess I oughtn't to kick, though," he added hastily.

d.i.c.k smiled. "They are awkward if you're not used to them, I suppose, Morris. I'm glad you're getting on so well. Gordon says you're going to move to the Point this week."

Morris nodded. "Wednesday," he said. "I want you and Gordon to come out some evening and have dinner. Will you?"

"Why, yes, I'd be glad to, Morris. Thank you."

"Then I'll settle on a day with the folks. Mother told me to tell you she wanted very much to have you. Louise, too. How would Sat.u.r.day do?"

"All right, I think. We have a game Sat.u.r.day, but I dare say it will be over by five. What time do you dine?"

"Seven. That'll give you heaps of time. I'm going to fetch Louise in to see the game and we can all go back together." Morris turned to Gordon.

"That suit you?" he asked.

"Finely. Could we get the quarter of six car, do you think? I'd like mighty well to get a swim before dinner. Got an extra bathing suit out there?"

"You can take mine. What do you want to do with this?" Morris held up a book in a red cloth cover.

"Oh, I brought that over for you, d.i.c.k," said Gordon. "That is, I borrowed it and he brought it. Thought you might like to look it over."

"Much obliged," said d.i.c.k, accepting the volume and reading the t.i.tle rather puzzledly. "'The Automobile; it's Care and Management.'

Er-what--" He looked from Gordon to Morris. "What's the idea, fellows? I'm much obliged, of course, but why should I want to study up on autos, please?"

"Oh, you like to know how to do everything," replied Gordon carelessly.

"That's mighty interesting, isn't it, Morris?"

"Great!" agreed the other enthusiastically. d.i.c.k still looked puzzled, but opened the book and glanced at two or three of its pages.

"All right, I'll have a go at it some time. It does look interesting.

Thank you." He laid the volume on the table. "What ever became of that car of yours, Morris?"

"It's home. I'm going to sell it. I paid Stacey the rest of the money I owed him the other day. He's a mean little runt. Don't want to buy it, do you, d.i.c.k?"

d.i.c.k smiled and shook his head. "I'm afraid I couldn't afford it. It would be sort of handy for me to get around in, though, wouldn't it?

Look here!" He viewed the two boys searchingly. "You fellows didn't bring me this book expecting I'd get daffy about automobiles and buy that one of yours, did you?"

"Of course not," disclaimed Gordon hurriedly. "Besides, Morris has a buyer for that car already. That is, he thinks he has."

"All right. Still I don't see why you think I want to read up on automobiles," said d.i.c.k. "What's the use of knowing how to run a car and grease its joints if I haven't got one and couldn't run it if I had?"

"Couldn't run it! Of course you could run it," said Gordon. "Couldn't he, Morris?"

"Easy! It's nothing to do. I could show you how in two days. Why--"

But at that moment Morris encountered Gordon's warning look and subsided. d.i.c.k stared perplexedly.

"I think you chaps are crazed by the heat," he said. "You've got automobiles on the brain. What you need, Gordie, is to get out and play ball. It must be about time to start for the field, too. By the way, Harry telephoned over at noon that he couldn't get out to-day."

"Again? I'll bet anything Harry's father isn't keeping him away from practice. He's just lazy. I guess we'd better come down on him with that twenty-five cent fine!"

"I'll go over with you and look on if you don't mind," said Morris. "You can't call me one of the enemy now, you know."

"Glad to have you," responded d.i.c.k. "I'll put this book inside and we'll start along. We'll make a fine appearance," he laughed. "Two cripples and a crazy fellow!"

CHAPTER XX