“Well,” muttered Bert doubtfully. “Anyhow what I did yesterday wasn’t worth all the fuss that was made. Why, hang it, a baby could have made that goal line! There wasn’t a soul in the way!” “Well, why wasn’t there? If you hadn’t slipped around Tyron and then cut over the end you’d have been stopped for sure. I saw you do that, old chap, and do it yourself with no help from any one else. And how about that Mt. Millard quarter? You had to get by him, didn’t you?” “Sure, but he didn’t bother me any.” “Of course he didn’t,” laughed Ted, “because instead of heading for the goal you swung to the right first and made him think you were making for the other side and then swung back to the left and beat him to the corner.” “Did I?” asked Bert. “I don’t remember doing that!” “Maybe so, but that’s what you did. You held that safety man just long enough on the wrong slant to queer his act. Of course it was the fact that you were faster than he was that won for you, but you fooled him besides. I tried to work over to get him but I couldn’t make it. Anyway, you didn’t need me.” “I wish I had more weight, Ted,” said Bert thoughtfully. “Well, I don’t know. Yes, you could stand another ten or twelve pounds, Bert, but I don’t see that you need it yet. You see, what helps you is your speed and your blamed elusiveness, and if you had more weight you mightn’t carry it so well. And that reminds me that I asked you over here at Johnny’s suggestion. I fancy he means to use you more from now on. He seemed to think that it would be a good idea for you and I to get together and sort of talk over some of the plays that we’ll use against Kenly. Sometimes a chap gets a better grip on a play if he kind of pulls it apart and puts it together again and understands just what it’s all about; when it’s to be used and what’s to be expected of it and that sort of thing. Got half an hour before supper?” CHAPTER XV FUMBLES Bus Lovell provided what in stage parlance is termed the “comic relief” that week. Bus had made three fumbles in Saturday’s game, and, although he had recovered two of them, Coach Cade decided that Bus needed discipline. So, when a light practice was over on Monday, Johnny requisitioned a scarred and battered ball from Jake and gravely handed it to Bus. “Lovell,” he said, “if you recall the talk we had in the gymnasium one afternoon awhile back you’ll understand why I’m giving you this. Fumbling, Lovell, is a bad habit for a quarter-back. Keep this with you as a reminder of that fact.” Bus tried to grin, got rather red and finally stammered: “You mean I’ve got to keep it around, sir? Carry it with me like you said?”