“Make yourself a critic; pick out eight or ten fellows to watch especially. In football or tennis or running. It doesn’t much matter. If they find you’re taking an intelligent interest in what they’re doing, they’ll be pleased. Westby, for instance, is running; he’s entered for the hundred yards in the fall games,—likely to win it, too. Westby’s your greatest trial, isn’t he? Then why don’t you make a point of watching him?—Not too obviously, of course. Come round with me; I’m coaching some of the runners for the next half-hour, and then Collingwood wants me to give his ends a little instruction.” “Dear me! If I’d only been an athlete instead of a student in college!” sighed Irving whimsically. “You don’t need to be much of an athlete to coach; I never was so very much,” confided Barclay. “But there are things you can learn by looking on.” They had reached the edge of the track; Barclay clapped his hands. “No, no, Roberts!” The boy who was practising the start for a sprint looked up. “You mustn’t reel all over the track that way when you start; you’d make a foul. Keep your elbows in, and run straight.” Irving followed Barclay round and tried to grasp the significance of his comments. Dennison came by at a trot. “Longer stride, Dennison! Your running’s choppy! Lengthen out, lengthen out! That’s better.—I have it!” Barclay turned suddenly to Irving. “What?” “The thing for you to do. We’ll make you an official at the track games next week. That will give you a standing at once—show everybody that you are really a keen follower of sport—or want to be.” “But what can I do? I suppose an official has to do something.” “You can be starter. That will put you right in touch with the fellows that are entered.” “Would I have a revolver? I’ve never fired a gun off in my life.” “Then it’s time you did. Of course you’ll have a revolver. And you’ll be the noisiest, most important man on the field. That’s what you need to make yourself; wake the fellows up to what you really are!—Now I must be off to my football men; you’d better hang round here and pick up what you can about running. And remember—you’re to act as starter.” “If you’ll see me through.” “I’ll see you through.” Barclay waved his hand and swung off across the field. CHAPTER VI THE PENALTY FOR A FOUL How it was managed Irving did not know, but on the morning of the day when the fall handicap track games were held Scarborough lingered after the Sixth Form Geometry class. Scarborough was president of the Athletic Association. “We want somebody to act as starter for the races this afternoon, Mr. Upton,” said Scarborough. “I wondered if you would help us out.” “I should be delighted,” said Irving. “I’ve not had much experience—” “Oh, it’s easy enough; Mr. Barclay, I guess, can tell you all that has to be done. Thank you very much.”