“Well, it would be a good thing if he could come out and practice a little more. It’s too bad we can’t find another fellow to help out with the pitching, Gordie. If Tom got sick we’d be in a fix.” “We surely would! But I don’t believe Tom was ever sick in his life. Anyway, he was pretty fit to-day. I caught him for a few minutes, and he had everything there is.” Dick smiled. “Tom has just three balls, Gordie: an out, a pretty good drop, and a fast one that’s a peach. That’s all he needs, though. If he mixes them up right he can get by. But we’ve got to find our batting eye Saturday if we’re to win. How about the line-up? Think we’d better change it?” “Yes, I do. This fellow Shores had better follow Lanny, don’t you think? He seems to think he can bat, but he didn’t connect with much yesterday.” “Maybe he was embarrassed,” suggested Dick, with a smile. “Embarrassed!” said Gordon. “Yes, about as much embarrassed as a bull-pup! Maybe he will do better in a game, though. Well, so-long, Dick. I’ll have to hustle or I’ll be late for supper.” “Coming around to-night?” “I don’t believe so. I told Lanny I’d go over there. See you to-morrow, though.” “Come over in the morning, will you? I’m not going out to the Point to-morrow.” “You’re not? You haven’t quit, have you?” “No, not yet. I’m giving Harold a day or two to think over his sins. Good-night.” “I say, Dick, don’t forget your call.” “What call?” asked Dick, from the end of the hedge. “Why, on Miss Brent!” “You’ll sit on the bench if you’re not careful,” laughed Dick. CHAPTER XVI DICK SCORES A DEFEAT “Well, what do you know about that!” ejaculated Fudge awedly. He and Lanny were approaching the athletic field at a little after two on Saturday. Ahead of them, as they turned the corner, was a group of some fifty or sixty persons, mostly boys and young men, and they were quite evidently waiting for the gate to open. “And it isn’t half-past two yet,” said Lanny. “Looks as if we were going to have an audience, after all, Fudge.” “Bet you they don’t know they have to pay a quarter,” responded the other pessimistically. “Then they’re blind, because there’s a notice right beside the gate there.” “Someone ought to find Tim and get him here,” said Fudge anxiously. “They might change their minds and go away again!” “What time is he supposed to get here?”