“What are you yawping about, Rob?” he asked. “Why,” answered Rob, looking surprised, “about you making the First Team, of course.” “Who said I’d made it?” asked Gus glumly. “Why――why, I don’t know. Maybe I just naturally jumped to the conclusion. I knew that Tom Reid was out and, of course, you were the best man for the place. So I supposed――” “Yes, you did!” Gus growled. “You needn’t rub it in.” “Rub it in?” exclaimed Rob with a fine show of innocence. “Do you mean that Hop didn’t take you to the First?” “Not that I’ve heard of. He moved Ward over from right and put Little in Ward’s place. I guess he knows his business, but I’m blamed if I don’t think he might have given me a show, Rob.” “Rather!” exclaimed Rob warmly. “Why, Little can’t play tackle! He can’t play――pinochle! Did you say anything to him? Hop, I mean.” “Not likely. I’m not running his show. If he doesn’t want me he doesn’t have to have me. But I’m getting tired of his nonsense, I’ll tell you that.” “Little’s a rather good friend of Prentiss, isn’t he?” “I dare say. Came from the same town, I think. Gee, the way those two chumps run things makes me tired! Maybe you’ll see me bringing my doll-rags over to play with you fellows some day, Rob, after all.” “Well, don’t do anything hasty,” said Rob soothingly. “Maybe you’ll make it yet.” Gus laughed. “You’re foxy, aren’t you, Lanky? See you later.” Gus hurried into Academy and Rob meandered toward Holden smiling contentedly. The Independents stuck pretty closely to the rudiments of football for the first part of that week, but since there was enough experienced material in the ranks to form a first and second squad on Thursday Duffield, much to every one’s surprise, held a ten minute scrimmage. The first squad wasn’t made up as Rob had anticipated. Evan was at quarter and Rob at left half, but Morse didn’t suit Duffield as a center and of the ends Rob had selected only Brimmer found a place. The biggest surprise came when the coach put Jelly in at center. But strange to say, Jelly took to the place like a fish to water, and, with Evan driving him and Duffield close on his heels every minute, showed evidence of real speed. The first squad as composed that day was as follows: right end, Cook; right tackle, Kasker; right guard, Chase; center, Jell; left guard, Koehler; left tackle, James; left end, Brimmer; quarter-back, Kingsford; right half-back, Lyman; left half-back, Langton; full-back, Shaler.