“_Tant s’en faut_,” responded Tommy, “meaning you’re talking foolishment. Chick’s no use this year, Bert, and Johnny’s discovered it. You know it, too, just as well as I do.” “Oh, come, why pick on Chick? Of course he’s had his bad days, but so have all of them.” “Not so _mal_ as Chick’s,” said Tommy decidedly. “If I thought there was any chance of Johnny using Chick Burton against Kenly I’d--” “What would you do, son?” asked Bert amusedly. “Put a stop to it.” Bert laughed. “Tommy, you’re delicious! Pass the peanuts. How would you go about it, young fellow?” Tommy wagged his head knowingly and screwed up his eyes as one who could tell but wouldn’t. “Never you mind,” he murmured. “I could do it.” “Who’s had a touch of the sun now?” jeered Bert. “Sounds like you and Johnny are pretty thick. Does everything you say, eh?” “That’s all right, Monsieur Alexandre _l’habile_!” (Bert groaned in protest.) “I’m not talking through my hat--” “That is to be seen,” murmured Bert. “Though why you didn’t say _chapeau_--” “And if I had to, if it was necessary for the--the success of the Team, I could put a spoke in Burton’s wheel all right, all right!” Bert frowned. “Don’t talk silly, Tommy! Just what are you getting at, anyway?” But Tommy shook his head again, filled his mouth with peanuts and looked suddenly extremely secretive, even stupid. Bert grunted. “That sort of talk isn’t nice, Tommy. Better lay off.” “All right.” Tommy used a superior tone that made the other frown again. “’Nough said. Have a peanut. Go on. I’ve got another bag coming to me.” Bert declined, and after a minute he asked: “What other reason have you for changing the old mind? Besides the changes in the team, I mean.” “Well, I’ve seen Kenly play, for another thing.” “You have? When?” “Last Saturday. Goodall and I went over.” “How were they?” asked Bert eagerly. “Good. They’ve got a nice-looking gang.” “Well, then--” “But we can beat them if we play lively football. They’re sort of--well, not exactly slow, but--now what’s the word?” “Use your French,” advised Bert. “Don’t have to. Uninspired’s what I wanted. That’s how they struck me. They looked like a team that could drag a heavy load all day but wouldn’t have sense--no, imagination enough to run away!” “Run away! Why should they run away?” “I was speaking metaphorically,” said Tommy with dignity. “What I mean is, those guys will do what the coach tells them to do all right, but they haven’t--aren’t-- Now, look here, you know as well as I do that there’s such a thing as football sense--or something. When a team hasn’t got it and runs against something that isn’t--er--provided for, if you see what I’m trying to get at--” “You’re talking about self-reliance, aren’t you?” “Well, I mean those guys aren’t the sort to rise to the occasion. They lack football--football--” “Instinct!” “That’s it,” said Tommy relievedly. “Instinct. And initiative, too. I guess initiative’s what I’ve been trying to think of.”