There’s a saying to the effect that “clothes make the man.” It isn’t true, as you and I both know very well. And it is probably equally untrue that togs make the hockey player. And yet――well, those new leg-guards and those new gloves certainly had an effect on Toby. Or something did. On Thursday before the Rock Hill College game, which was, with the exception of the final contest with Broadwood, considered the most important event on the hockey schedule, Toby performed so creditably that Captain Crowell sought Coach Loring afterwards for counsel. “That kid Tucker’s playing pretty nearly as well as Lamson, sir, don’t you think?” he asked. They were walking up to the gymnasium behind the others and Mr. Loring was making the boards creak as he stamped his feet to warm them. “The way he played to-day was corking, I thought.” Crowell’s admiration sounded grudging and the coach glanced at him speculatingly before he spoke. “What have you got against Tucker, Crowell?” he asked. “Not a thing,” answered Crowell in surprise. “What made you think I had, sir?” “Well, for a week and more Tucker has played a bit better than Lamson and you haven’t so much as mentioned it――or him. I began to think that possibly you had some personal――er――dislike, Crowell.” “If I had,” answered the captain a trifle stiffly, “I wouldn’t let it influence me, sir.” “Glad to hear it,” was the untroubled response. “If you want my opinion, Tucker’s a better goal than Lamson right now and he will get better every day.” Crowell was silent for a minute. Then: “You think we’d better use him Saturday, sir?” he asked. “By all means. He needs the experience, Crowell. If he doesn’t fill the bill, put in Lamson, but by all means give Tucker a chance to get some work against an outside team. You never can tell what any player is good for until he’s run up against some one beside his own crowd.” “It sounds as though you’d already picked him for the Broadwood game,” said Crowell doubtfully. Mr. Loring smiled. “_I_ had, but you needn’t unless you want to. I’m not interfering with your choice of players, Crowell. I told you I didn’t intend to when I started in. It would be a lot easier for me if I did do that. A coach who hasn’t absolute control always works at a disadvantage. But I realized that you didn’t particularly want me here this year and that it wouldn’t do to antagonize you.” Crowell colored. “I don’t think you have any reason to say that, Mr. Loring,” he stammered. “I’ve been very glad to have you.”