“Just as I am an enthusiast in all clean, healthy sports. I believe in such things, and I take hold of them with delight. I’ve seen lacrosse played in Canada, and the work of two well-matched teams up there puts us in the shade. However, let the public show the interest for lacrosse that it has in college baseball and we’ll witness great advancement in the next few years.” “Have you played lacrosse yourself, Mr. Merriwell?” “A little.” “It’s a game at which practice counts for a great deal.” “Like baseball. Mere strength is of small matter in lacrosse. Speed, skill, nerve, and brains all come in. In this respect it has some advantages over football.” “Well, you can discuss all that to-morrow!” laughed Inza. “Just now I’m in favor of talking about other things. If you play the game here, Elsie and I will attend and root. Won’t we, Elsie?” “I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” answered Elsie. “You’ll see something that will give you small satisfaction,” thought Fillmore; but he kept his thought to himself. CHAPTER XXII. OUT ON THE PIMLICO ROAD. The following afternoon Frank and Bart took the girls out for a carriage ride. Although Elsie enjoyed it greatly, she soon became tired, and it was necessary to return with her. On returning to the house they were greeted by Fillmore, who came out at once as he saw the girls being assisted from the carriage. “Well, I’m glad we struck you this way,” he said. “Been having a drive, eh? Hope you enjoyed it.” “It was delightful,” said Elsie; “but I spoiled it by getting tired so soon.” “We’re going to see ‘The School Girl’ to-night,” explained Inza; “so we decided it was better not to weary Elsie too much.” “Oh, you’ve made arrangements for to-night, have you, Merriwell?” cried Fillmore. “I thought I might take you out to see some of the fellows this evening.” Immediately both girls expressed a willingness to give up the theatre, but neither Frank nor Bart would listen to that. “Then,” said Fillmore, “we can find Jack Branch this afternoon and fix it up about that game. Branch is our manager, you know. What he says will go, all right, all right. I know where to find him. He’s out at Hastings’, on the Pimlico Road. Hastings runs a road house. What say if we hike out there right away, Merriwell?” “I’m willing,” nodded Frank. “How’ll we go?” “Oh, any way. We can take a car, but, of course, it would be better to drive.” “Here’s the team,” smiled Merry. “We engaged it for the afternoon, and the afternoon is not more than half over.” “Good!” cried Fillmore. “Wait till I call Hackett. He’s here with me.” Tom Hackett came out of the house when he was called. He was introduced to Elsie and Inza and surveyed the girls keenly, but not offensively. He shook hands with seeming warmth with Frank and Bart.