Tom joined the big team on Tuesday and replaced Coles for the last three innings of a slow, poorly played contest with the second. On the whole, he was disappointing that day, but he had an alibi in the fact that he was in strange company. He did hit a single that accounted for two runs for his side, however. On Wednesday he saw the Toll’s Academy game from the bench. Wyndham experienced a good deal of difficulty in losing that game, but she finally managed it in the ninth when, after carrying it along from the fifth at 5 to 5, Sam Erlingby grooved a ball to the Toll’s batsman with two out. Sam had two strikes and two balls on the enemy, and he meant that fast one for a third strike. But the batter laid against it hard and landed it beyond the center of the gridiron and went to third. Even then the game might have gone to extra innings, but Coles, who took the throw-in from Al Greene, thought he saw a chance of nailing the runner at third and made a hurried peg. Perhaps Tyson might have tried harder for that ball, but――well, anyway, it went over his head and the Toll’s runner ambled home, and the score was no longer tied. Steve sent in two pinch hitters in the last half, but, although Risley poked out a two bagger and eventually reached third on Greene’s out at first, nothing came of it. On Thursday Tom played second in practice and in the seven-inning game, batting fifth in the list. If he had experienced diffidence on Tuesday he was bravely over it to-day. To the surprise of his former teammates he appeared not only self-possessed but even self-assured. Getting into fast company seemed to be what he needed. He set a fast pace, and even Hurry Leland was forced to hustle more than once to keep up with him. The first won by a wide margin that afternoon, and while it would be absurd to say that Tom’s presence accomplished the victory yet it is certain that it contributed generously to that result. Tom was at the starter’s end of two double plays, fielded his position without an error, made a spectacular catch of a short fly well behind first base and, when Greene and Tyson were on second and third with two out, brought in two runs with a smashing hit through the box that Billy Purdy knew enough to let well alone. On the whole Tom spent a busy, pleasant and profitable afternoon; profitable because it won him beyond the shadow of a doubt the right to the position of second base on the first. “Now,” said Loring triumphantly that evening, “now I guess you’ll admit that there’s something in will power!” “Well, maybe,” answered Tom cautiously. “But tell me this. You knew mighty well that Clif’s a better willer than I am. How come, then, that I made the first and he didn’t? Run that down!” “Easy,” said Loring. “You started with an advantage. Clif hasn’t played as much as you have; before this spring I mean. He probably won’t make the first for another week. Maybe two.”