It was a silent and very disgusted throng of spectators 199 “If we don’t make Hop and Prentiss sit up and take notice before the season’s over, I’ll eat my hat!” 217 “Now then, you fellows――I’m here to show you what I know about foot-ball and you’re here to learn” 229 The game between the Independents and the Second School Team 251 “Then that’s settled, eh?” asked Hopkins beamingly 273 The meeting broke up in confusion 289 The meeting resolved itself into a parade that made the round of the buildings and sang foot-ball songs 305 KINGSFORD, QUARTER CHAPTER I EVAN HAPPENS IN Evan climbed the second flight of stairs, pulling his bag heavily behind him. For the last quarter of an hour he had been wishing that he had packed fewer books in it. At the station he had stopped to telegraph to his family announcing his safe arrival at Riverport, and so had lost the stage to school and had walked a full mile and a quarter. That is ordinarily no task for a well-set-up, strong lad of fifteen years, but when he is burdened with a large suit-case containing no end of books and boots and other stuff that ought to be in his trunk, and when the last half-mile is steadily uphill, it makes a difference. Evan was aware of the difference. At the top of the final flight he set the bag down and looked speculatively up and down the long, dim hallway. In front of him the closed door was numbered 24. At the office they had assigned him to 36 Holden. He had found the dormitory without difficulty, and now he had only to find 36. He wondered which way the numbers ran. That he wasn’t alone up here on the second floor was evident, for from behind closed doors and opened doors came the sound of much talking and laughter. While he stood there resting his tired arms, the portal of number 24 was flung open, and a tall youth in his shirt-sleeves confronted him. Behind the tall youth the room seemed at first glance to be simply seething with boys. “Where is room 36, please?” asked Evan. “Thirty-six?” The other considered the question with a broad smile. Then, instead of answering, he turned toward the room. “Say, fellows, here’s a new one. Come and have a look. It’ll do you no end of good.” In a second the doorway was filled with curious, grinning faces. Perhaps if Evan hadn’t been so tired he would have accepted the situation with better humor. As it was, he lifted his suit-case and turned away with a scowl. “He doesn’t like us!” wailed a voice. “Ah, woe is me!” “Where’s he going?” asked another. “Tarry, stranger, and――” “He wants 36,” said the tall youth. “Who’s in 36, somebody?” “Nobody. Tupper had it last year; he and Andy Long.” “Say, kid, 36 is at the other end of the hall. But don’t scowl at me like that, or I’ll come out there and give you something to be peevish about.”