"My friend, Herbert Rackliff, from Boston," said Hooker, introducing his companion. "That hub of the universe and seat of knowledge became too slow for him, so he migrated down here to Oakdale to acquire learning at our academic institution." "Glad to meet you," said Roberts, still speaking out of one side of his mouth, in a way that somehow gave the impression that he did not wish the other side of his face to know what he was saying. "From Boston--and come to attend school in Oakdale. Jingoes!" Rackliff smiled wryly, as his hand was given a squeeze by the wearer of the green cap. "Don't wonder you're surprised," he murmured. "Awful, isn't it? But then, I'm not to blame. Just been explaining to Roy, that my governor is responsible for the fearful crime." "Sent you down here, did he? Well, what did you do to lead him to perpetrate such an outrage?" "Got caught having a little fun, that's all. Expelled." "Some fathers never can seem to understand that boys must have amusement. How's baseball coming, Hooky?" "Oh, after the same old style," growled Hooker. "Roger Eliot is running the whole shooting match." "He seems to be the high mogul in this town," chuckled Roberts. "He makes me sick!" snapped Roy. "I don't care whether I play baseball or not, but I'd like to see Oakdale have a captain who'd give every fellow a square and fair show." "Hasn't Eliot given you a square deal?" "Not by a long shot. The bunch is practicing on the field now. He wanted to pack me away into right garden, but I never was built to be a nonentity in the outfield." "I thought likely perhaps you'd do part of the pitching this year. Seems to me they must need you." "Oh, they'll need somebody, all right; but Springer's trying to coach up our cattle puncher, Grant, to do part of the twirling. You don't know Grant. He's a new man; came in last fall. He's from Texas." "Can he pitch?" "Pitch! Just about as much as an old woman." "Well, I don't mind telling you that Oakdale is certainly going to need a good man on the slab when she runs up against Barville this year. Needn't think you'll have the same sort of a snap you had last season. Lucky for you Lee Sanger hadn't developed when you played us. Gee! but he did come toward the end of the season. Look how he held Wyndham down; and he'd won that game, too, with proper support. He'll be better this year." "I hope Barville beats the everlasting stuffing out of Oakdale." "Do you really?" chuckled Roberts. "How's your friend feel about it? Does he play?" "Nit," said Rackliff. "Draw poker is about the only kind of a game I ever take a hand in." "Oh, Herbert knows they've given me a rotten deal," said Hooker quickly. "He's got his opinion about it. Honestly and truly, we'd both like to see Barville win."