During the rest of that evening, and most of the following day a new rumor was to be met at every corner. Excitement was followed by consternation as the school came to a fuller realization of the gravity of the catastrophe. A new coach could be found to direct the Team’s course for the rest of the way, but he would be handicapped from the start by a lack of knowledge both of the men he was to handle, and of the foundation already constructed by his predecessor. He might, too, fail to command the confidence of the players. The report that Mr. Hilliard was to take charge met with little enthusiasm. “Pinky” doubtless possessed the advantage of Mr. Otis’s confidence, and he knew the ground, but few of the First Team credited him with the qualities required of a successful coach. Oddly enough, the solution of the quandary arrived at by the Athletic Committee Tuesday occurred to few beforehand. The Committee’s decision was awaited impatiently. The rumored meeting did not take place Monday evening, and until after dinner on Tuesday the school had to be satisfied with speculation. Then, at last, the news was out. Mr. Babcock would succeed Mr. Otis as First Team Coach. Mr. Hilliard would continue as Assistant Coach. Mr. Connover would take over the Second Team. Wyndham School blinked its eyes and wondered why it hadn’t thought of “Cocky”! Why, “Cocky” was just the ticket! Oh, anyhow, he was lots better than a stranger who wouldn’t know anything about anything! On the whole, the decision met with hearty approval. Even those who knew little of the practical side of football, but had encountered Mr. Babcock in his rôle of Physical Director felt certain that he possessed to a degree the stern, disciplinary qualities associated by them with the gridiron martinet. Those who had ever really tried Mr. Babcock’s patience during gymnasium instruction gave it as their studied opinion that “‘Cocky’ was a hard-boiled egg, and ought to make a corking coach for the First!” Perhaps there were some on the First who didn’t wholly approve of the Football Committee’s selection, but they were few in number and were not talking for publication. It remained for the Scrub Team to utter the only disapproving note. Scrub protested loudly that it wouldn’t stand for it! What was the idea, snatching its coach like that? Didn’t it have any rights? And what in the dickens did “Steve” Connover, the baseball coach, know about football? What was to become of the Scrub Team, anyway?