"Oh, it might have been worse. But the way the fellows rushed the ball up the field the last five minutes was a caution. It was like a machine." "Yes; we ought to have done that first." "That's right. By the way, I'm going to see my sister. Want to come along?" "Sure!" exclaimed Tom with such eagerness that Phil remarked dryly: "I don't know that she'll be with Madge Tyler." "Oh--er--that is--that's all right," said Tom hastily, and he swallowed quickly. "I'll go along." "All right," said Phil. They finished dressing, and went across the field to where a crowd of spectators was still congregated. "Think you can find her in this bunch?" asked Tom, but he was taking no chances, for he himself was keeping a sharp lookout for a certain fair face. "Oh, I guess so. If I don't spot her she'll glimpse me. Girls are great for finding people in a crowd. Sis always seems to do it." "Oh, Phil!" called a voice a moment later, and Ruth Clinton hurried up to her brother, gaily waving a Fairview flag. She was followed by Madge Tyler, who also had her college colors with her. "How's your shoulder?" asked Ruth anxiously. "I was so nervous that I couldn't bear to look at the plays." "Yes, you've got a lot of ruffians on your team," retorted her brother. "They don't know how to play like gentlemen." "But they know how to win!" exclaimed Madge, as she greeted her chum's brother. "That's right," admitted Phil, making a rueful face. "I'm sorry I had to cheer against you and Mr. Parsons to-day," went on Madge, as she looked at Phil. "I really--well, of course I can't say I really wanted to you to win against Fairview, but I wish the score had been even." "There's no satisfaction in that," retorted Tom. "We lost, and they won, fairly and squarely." "Oh, I'm glad you admit that," spoke Ruth with a laugh, and she waved her flag in Tom's face. He made a grab for it, and caught the end of the cane. For an instant he stood thus, looking into the laughing, mischievous eyes of Ruth Clinton. "Do you want it?" she asked daringly. "Yes," said Tom, "even though it is the color of the enemy." "What will you give me for it?" she asked. "My colors," said Tom, taking a small knot of yellow and maroon from his coat lapel. "We'll exchange until the victory goes the other way about." "All right," she agreed laughingly. "Don't forget, now. Mr. Parsons." "I'll not," he assured her, and he turned to see Madge regarding him curiously. Her eyes shifted away quickly as they met his. "Heard from dad?" asked Phil, who had been an amused witness to the little scene. "Yes, I have a letter with me," answered his sister. "Here it is," and she handed it to Phil. "Mother is some better." "That's good. Do you have to get right back to college, or have you girls time to go down the street and have some soda?" asked Phil. "Oh, we'll make time to go with _you_!" exclaimed Madge, and she accented the last word. Tom looked at her keenly.