He was trying very hard to hide the fact that he was terribly down in the mouth. The half-curious, wholly sympathetic looks of his companions followed him all through the meal and he was glad when it was over. Chub caught up with him on the steps and together they crossed the walk and found seats under one of the elms well away from possible eavesdroppers. "Tell me all about it," demanded Chub, scowling fiercely. So Roy told him. "You don't think he will let you off in time for the game Saturday?" asked Chub. "No, I'm pretty sure he won't. He's dead certain it was me that Mercer saw." Chub jumped to his feet. "Where are you going?" asked Roy suspiciously. "To see Emmy," was the answer. "I'll tell him that you didn't wear your red sweater and that you couldn't have been on old Mercer's place because you were with me." "Don't be a fool!" said Roy. "What's the good of getting into trouble yourself? He'll ask what you were doing and you'll have to 'fess up; and then the nine won't have any captain on Saturday." "I don't care," answered Chub stubbornly. "I got you into the hole and the least I can do is to get you out." "But you wouldn't get me out! You'd just throw yourself in with me. Look here, now, Chub; Emmy isn't going to take any stock in your story. He'll just think that we concocted it between us this morning. Besides, you left me for almost an hour and you can't swear that I didn't go over to Mercer's while you were gone. It's only a quarter of a mile from where you left me." "But you were asleep!" "So you say." "Well, weren't you?" "Yes, but Emmy won't believe it. He'll think we were both out fishing and that I went to Mercer's; and instead of being minus a first baseman on Saturday the team will be short a first baseman and a second baseman too; also a captain." "But it isn't fair," cried Chub. "I was the only one that fished, and now you're getting the blame for it. It was all my fault, anyhow; I made you go along when you didn't want to." "Nonsense; I didn't have to go." "But you went to please me." "Oh, well, what if I did?" "It isn't fair," muttered Chub. "If I play in that game and you don't I'll feel like a brute." "You don't need to, Chub. Besides, there's the school to think of. You know plaguey well we'll get done up brown if you don't play--" "We will anyway, I guess," interpolated Chub sadly. "--And that isn't fair to the nine and the school. You've got to do everything you can to win that game, Chub. You don't suppose that I mind being out of it if we're going to win, do you?" "But we need you, Roy! Who's going to play first?" "Patten, of course; he can do it." "He can't bat like you can." "He'll do all right," answered Roy cheerfully. "Now you keep your mouth shut, old man, will you?" "I suppose so," Chub muttered. "But I hadn't ought to." "Yes, you had, too. I'm not the main thing, Chub; there's the school."