“Stick around until to-morrow and you’ll get a chance. But I don’t believe you’ll dent him any. I guess he’s through with football, if he ever began.” “Can’t help that, old son. We’ve got to have him; him and two or three others who quit last year for one reason or another; usually on account of trouble with the office. I’m gunning for ’em. Say, Clem, you might help a bit, you know.” “How?” “Well, you and Todd are sort of thick, I suppose. He’d listen to you, wouldn’t he?” “Maybe. Meaning you want me to talk him around to going back? Any inducements?” “How do you mean inducements?” asked Lowell suspiciously. “Well, a banana royal at The Mirror, for instikance.” “Sure! Just the same, it’s Johnny who ought to pay for it. It isn’t my funeral whether any one plays or doesn’t play, is it?” “Well, you’re manager, aren’t you?” laughed Clem. “What’s the manager for if not to do the dirty work and foot the bills? Besides, you’ll work that banana royal into the expense account somehow!” “A fat chance!” scoffed Lowell. “Why, you can’t buy a pair of shoe-laces without showing a voucher for it! Oh, well, I’ll stand for your drink.” “No, I’ll let you off, Woodie. But don’t bank too much on seeing Todd out there. I’ll do what I can, but when you said he was a nut you spoke a mouthful. By the way, who’s your trusty lieutenant this year?” “A fellow named Barr, Johnny Barr. Know him? Not a bad sort, Johnny. There’s likely to be some confusion, though. Some day I’ll yell ‘Johnny’ and Johnny Cade will think I’m getting fresh and crown me!” “I hope I’m there,” laughed Clem. “Where are you eating to-night?” “Anywhere you say, if you’re host.” “Nothing doing. I’m talking Dutch. How about the Beanery?” “All right. What time? I’m going to get under a shower before I’m ten minutes older. It was as hot as Tophet on that field to-day!” “Say half-past six. I’ll meet you in front of Upton.” “You will not. I’m in Lykes this year. Got the room Spence Halliday had; Number 9; hot stuff!” “No! Who’s with you? Billy Frost?” “No, ‘Hick’ Powers. Come and see our magnificence. Should think you’d have changed, Clem.” “What for? You’ve got nothing in your dive the Lykes of this!” “Oh, good _night_! I’m off! Six-thirty, eh? If I’m not there, step inside and yell. So long!” “Wait a minute! Listen, Woodie. What would you do with this junk? There’s only enough stuff to fill that case about three-quarters full, and if I ship it like that it’ll be an awful mess when it arrives, I guess. What’s the answer?” “Stick in some of your own things.” “No, but really! No joking, Woodie. What would--” “Have a heart! Have a heart!” Lowell waved his hands protestingly at the doorway. “Boy, I’ve got _problems_! Don’t pester me with trifles like that!” The football manager was off, taking the stairs four at a time. Clem went to the window and leaned over the sill. When Lowell emerged from the doorway below he hailed him. “Oh, Woodie!”