“We’ve got thirteen home games and nine away, and some of the visits are going to keep us busy! But that doesn’t matter. I mean it isn’t going to matter if we just make up our minds to one thing; to be the best baseball team that ever trained on the Wyndham field. Coach has talked sense about――I mean――well, he always talks sense, of course――” Hurry’s one-sided grin appeared momentarily, while the audience laughed――“but he said a mouthful when he spoke about keeping in right with faculty. I’ve been here three years, fellows, and I’ve seen teams hurt more than once because some poor prune who should have known better got in wrong at the Office and wasn’t there when he was needed. Coach says we don’t want fellows with us who won’t study and keep their end up in class, and that goes for me, too. “About this indoor stuff, now. Well, it won’t hurt you a bit, and I’d hate to see any of you duck just because there’ll be a couple of weeks of calisthenics. You won’t have to work any harder than Mr. Babcock makes you work in gym class. And it’s necessary, too. I don’t want to see any of you fellows quit without getting a fair try-out. Some of you will quit later, because there’s only two teams to fill, but you leave that to Coach Connover. He’ll tell you quick enough when he’s through with you! Well, I guess that’s everything,” ended Hurry as the audience chuckled in appreciation of the dry jest. “Just stick as long as you’re needed, fellows; and do your best for the Team and the School. I know your best will be good enough!” Somewhat to the surprise of the candidates, Mr. Connover announced that nothing more was required of them that day. “Be sure to give your names to the Manager before you go,” he added. “And that means all of you, old or new. To-morrow we’ll meet on the floor at four-thirty.” Returning to West Hall, Tom remarked: “I wonder how Leland and I will get on together around second. You know, Clif, second baseman and shortstop have simply got to work together smoothly, and that guy doesn’t look like a fellow who would take kindly to advice.” “From you?” jeered Clif. “I should hope not! Anyway, you and Hurry Leland aren’t likely to see much of each other. He’s on the first, you know.” “Meaning that I’ll only make the second, eh?” “Meaning you’ll be plaguy lucky if you make the bench! Say, I was sort of looking around back there,” continued Clif as he followed Tom into Number 34, “and I’ll bet there were twenty last year fellows on hand.” “What of it?” asked Tom, plumping himself into a chair. “What of it? Well, what chance have a couple of dunderheads like you and me got, I’d like to know.” “Dunderhead yourself,” responded Tom, unruffled. “Dunderhead, me no dunderhead, young feller. Listen. I’m an experienced ball player. I was even a captain once.” “Who else was on the team?” laughed Clif. “Your old nurse?”